dmx Archives

DMX, Swizz Beatz, Eve, The LOX & More Are Ruff Rydin’ Across The USA

Two months after their reunion at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, the Ruff Ryders have announced that they're taking their show nationwide in September. DMX, Eve, Swizz Beatz, The LOX and Drag-On will hit cities in Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Maryland, California and Nevada. They will also... Read more

June 21, 2017 Fresh

Watch 40 Years Of Hip-Hop History In 4 Minutes In A Mind-Blowing Mashup (Video)

It ain't nothin' like Hip-Hop music...Over the last 40 years, there have been few forces in pop culture with more impact than Hip-Hop. Like Rock & Roll before it, the music and lifestyle shaped an entire generation and has had untold influence around the world. The Rub: The History of... Read more

June 5, 2017 Video

DMX Punching Chris Lighty Drew Blood Money From His Album (Audio)

This spring, the life and death of acclaimed record executive Chris Lighty has been the subject of an investigative podcast series. Combat Jack has created and hosted Mogul, a weekly look at the evolution of the man who managed A Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent,... Read more

May 19, 2017 Audio

Swizz Beatz Details Why DMX’s Next Album Will “Change The Game” (Video)

DMX has been on the minds of Hip-Hop fans for many reasons in recent days. The legendary rapper is expected to release a new album later this year, an eagerly awaited follow-up to 2012's Undisputed. With five platinum (or better) albums under his belt, the Yonkers, New York icon has left... Read more

April 28, 2017 Video

DMX Reportedly Checks Into Rehab After Canceling Multiple Concerts

UPDATE: Days after a "medical emergency" was cited as the reason DMX canceled at least three concert appearances, the rapper has reportedly checked into a Southern California rehabilitation facility for substance abuse. TMZ has learned from sources close to the Yonkers, New York MC that after reaching California, the artist... Read more

April 26, 2017 News

DMX & The LOX To Headline 2017 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (Video)

Last night (April 21), the Ruff Ryders reunited on the stages of Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center. DMX, Eve, Swizz Beatz and others celebrated nearly 20 years of guttural street music from the New York City collective that also spawned the careers of The LOX, Drag-On, Cassidy, and others. While the... Read more

April 22, 2017 Fresh, Video

DMX Gon’ Give It To Ya…But He Now Wants Trap Beats To Do It

For more than one year, DMX has reportedly been preparing his eighth album. In May of 2016, Swizz Beatz, one of X's longest collaborators, confirmed his deep involvement, as well as potential tracks from Dr. Dre and Kanye West. While Dre and X have never released work together, a pre-College... Read more

April 3, 2017 Fresh

As Eve, DMX, Swizz, Drag-On & The LOX Plan A Ruff Ryders Reunion, Here’s The Scenario (Audio)

This week, the Ruff Ryders announced their reunion homecoming, planned for April. The Hip-Hop collective (which began first as a party promotions company in the late 1980s) is largely responsible for the careers of DMX, Swizz Beatz, The LOX, Eve, Cassidy, and others. Approaching the turn of the millennium, the... Read more

March 2, 2017 Do Remember

The Original Ruff Ryders Are Reuniting For A Mega Celebration

Since they burst onto the scene in the 90s, members of the original Ruff Ryders crew have been ever-present in Hip-Hop. Consisting of DMX, The LOX, Eve and, leader, Swizz Beatz, they created a new sound for the era, built on thin synths and thunderous drums. Since those early days,... Read more

February 28, 2017 News

Swizz Beatz Premieres A New Song Featuring Nas, Jay Z, DMX & Jadakiss And It’s Unreal (Video)

Note: To hear the track, skip to 2:27:15 in the long video, or play the short clip just below. Although they have both reached G.O.A.T. status among Hip-Hop producers, with catalogs of hits rivaled by few, at their cores, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz are still DJs too. With nothing... Read more

February 25, 2017 Video

DMX Is Mentoring Quadir Lateef. This Ruff Ryders MC Absolutely Stunts On The Mic. (Video)

Ruff Ryders Entertainment may not get the comparable mentions of a Roc-A-Fella or G-Unit, but they should. The label launched as an offshoot of the party promoting by the Dean siblings in the late 1980s would be responsible for an artist with five consecutive #1 albums in DMX. Moreover, the... Read more

February 5, 2017 Video

A New List Declares Who’s Been The Best MC Every Year From 1979 to 2016

2017 is still too young to have its best MC crowned, but a new list has named the best MC in each year, since 1979. From Grandmaster Caz to Chance the Rapper, MCs of all generations have found themselves mentioned in the comprehensive list generated by a team of writers... Read more

January 30, 2017 Fresh

DMX & Swizz Beatz Return With A New Banger That Confirms The Dog Is BACK (Audio)

Last year, Swizz Beatz teased Rap fans. In an Instagram post from 2016, he said "I am truly ultra proud of the steps my brother has been taking to greatness ???????? Some people think it's easy to shake unfortunate situations but it's not! I would love for all the fans... Read more

January 12, 2017 Audio

Finding The GOAT Producer: Swizz Beatz vs. Timbaland. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

January 10, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Swizz Beatz Says He & DMX Are Seriously Working & He “Can’t Wait” To Release The Music (Video)

2017 marks five years since DMX has released an album. Swizz Beatz has been involved in all seven of Dark Man X's albums, and his eighth will be no exception. Appearing on DJ Whoo Kid's Whoolywood Shuffle show on Shade 45, Swizzy confirmed collaborations coming forth between he and the... Read more

January 5, 2017 Video

Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s Highs, Lows & Reasons To Stay Woke (Audio)

2016 is coming to a close. Years from now, how will we, the people, remember such an expansive year in Hip-Hop music, news, and culture? This year, some of the biggest MCs in the genre released new albums. Several of these efforts came in short notice, challenging new distribution platforms... Read more

December 30, 2016 Food for Thought

Cole World: In A Historic Week, His Eyez Have Views Even Drake Can’t See

It has been 12 days since J. Cole released his fourth album, 4 Your Eyez Only. In that time since the Dreamville/Roc Nation released, it has topped the charts for the fourth consecutive time for the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer. This feat also joined an exclusive, three-artist club in Hip-Hop.... Read more

December 21, 2016 Fresh, News

DMX Made Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood Because Of A $1 Million Wager

In the span of seven months, DMX released two albums which combined went platinum seven times. It was 1998, and the Yonkers, New York rapper was taking the industry by storm, establishing himself as a domineering presence with uncompromising virility. First with May's It's Dark and Hell Is Hot and... Read more

December 5, 2016 Throwback, Throwback

Kurupt Looks Back At The Major Beefs Of His Career In “Unsung” (Video)

This week, the Unsung series aired its episode dedicated to Kurupt. The TV One program examined the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania upbringing of Tha Dogg Pound co-founder. Kurupt admits that Rakim is a leading Rap influence in his lyrical style and enhanced vocabulary. The biography follows Kurupt's move to California, and subsequent... Read more

November 27, 2016 TV/Film, Video

DMX Joins Puff Daddy & Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour For Remaining Dates

With at least more than eight US concert dates remaining, Puff Daddy has upped the ante on his Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour. The label's founder and CEO added DMX to the list of headliners this week. Besides Puff, the artists on the tour include Ma$e, The LOX, Faith Evans,... Read more

September 17, 2016 Fresh

Redman Believes Canibus Was Not Dissing LL Cool J On 4, 3, 2, 1 (Video)

In 2016, LL Cool J and Canibus have come full circle. In late 1997, Uncle L put the young lyricist on the second single to his Phenomenon album. "4, 3, 2, 1" followed 1995's "I Shot Ya" as another possé cut of the reigning Rap star showcasing MCs he believed... Read more

August 31, 2016 Video

DMX Says He Won Every Battle With Jay Z. Who Won The War? (Video)

In 1999, Jay Z and DMX embarked (and majorly cashed in) on the Hard Knock Life Tour. Although Jay Z's album gave the tour its name, the lineup was a joint headliner of the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and DMX. Both artists had become the flagship acts at Def Jam Records... Read more

August 13, 2016 Food for Thought, Video

Swizz Beatz Reveals DMX Did Not Want To Do “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” (Video)

"Stop. Drop. Shut 'em down, open up shop." As Heads know, those words open "Ruff Ryders' Anthem," one of the biggest Hip-Hop anthems of all-time. However, the song almost didn't happen. As part of the new BET series Inside The Label, Swizz Beatz detailed the making of the song for... Read more

July 13, 2016 Throwback

June Was Full Of Great Hip-Hop. Here’s The Best Of The Month In 1 Playlist (Audio)

The month of June was the epitome of quality over quantity, when it came to Hip-Hop. There were fewer noteworthy releases than in any month of the year, so far, but those that penetrated were high-powered. Drake set the month on fire with one of his hardest rhymes in years,... Read more

July 9, 2016 Audio

DMX Bites Right Through The Flesh In New Single “Blood Red” (Audio)

During this morning's (June 28) Breakfast Club interview, DMX left Charlamagne Tha God and company with a premiere listen on single "Blood Red." Right on time, the Divine Beats-produced song hits the web just a few hours later. With its vicious title, the song is X's latest jagged bite into... Read more

June 28, 2016 Audio

DMX Breaks Down While Discussing How God Saved His Life (Video)

This morning (June 28), DMX was a guest on The Breakfast Club. The onetime superstar rapper spoke for more than an hour with Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, and DJ Envy about a host of topics. At times drinking cognac straight from the bottle, the Yonkers, New York lyricist got... Read more

June 28, 2016 Video

DMX Takes Over The Stage & Shows He’s Still Very Much Up In Here (Video)

One of the many highlights of the 2016 Roots Picnic, which took place on June 4, 2016, was seeing DMX back in tip-top form, taking over the stage. Two months prior, Swizz Beatz sent a shockwave through the digital world when he posted that Dark Man X was "focused, clean... Read more

June 21, 2016 Video

DMX & Styles P Ride Rough On A New Song That Takes No Prisoners (Audio)

Yesterday (June 4), DMX was one of the headlining acts at the 9th annual Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Sharing the bill with fellow Ruff Ryders member Swizz Beatz (who appeared on stage during X's set), the Yonkers, New Yorker performed hits from the last 18 years of his illustrious... Read more

June 5, 2016 Audio

Swizz Beatz Says DMX Is “Clean, Focused” And Working With Dr. Dre & Kanye West

DMX, one of the biggest artists of the turn of the millennium, might be poised for an epic comeback. As fans know, Dark Man X has battled substance abuse and inner demons for a number of years since his meteoric ascent in 1998 and '99. According to Swizz Beatz, however,... Read more

May 1, 2016 Fresh

Kareem “Biggs” Burke Reveals Roc-A-Fella Secrets Regarding Big L, Scarface & Ma$e

Roc-A-Fella Records' 1990s and early 2000s' reign is credited to three businessmen. While Jay Z has become one of, if not the biggest artists in Hip-Hop history, Dame Dash is one of the highest profile Rap executives. Third owner of the original Roc, Kareem "Biggs" Burke was (and remains) less in... Read more

April 9, 2016 Audio

Freddie Gibbs Flips A Jay Z Vol 2. Concept With Some Hard Knock Bass (Audio)

Back in 1998, Jay Z and Swizz Beatz tapped into a musical pocket completely different from Jay's work with DJ Premier, Ski Beatz, Irv Gotti, or Timbaland. The Ruff Ryders' sound provider got busy on the keyboards and sliced into Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life with an electrified, DMX-assisted third... Read more

February 9, 2016 Audio, The Bridge

In Y2K, DMX Freestyles Went Down Like Mike Tyson Victims. Here’s One. (Audio)

The barks, the growls, the yelling...DMX brought a totally different kind of anger to Rap music than peers like ONYX, M.O.P., or Tupac Shakur. The Ruff Ryders flagship MC was "rage in the cage," when he stepped in many studio booths. Tim Westwood was one DJ/Hip-Hop personality on the map... Read more

January 7, 2016 Throwback

DMX Producer Dame Grease Wants Guinness World Record For Most Songs In A Year

Producer Dame Grease has been instrumental to a number of platinum, and critically-acclaimed albums. The Harlem, New York native was critical to DMX's It's Dark And Hell Is Hot and The LOX's Money, Power, Respect, in addition to mentoring Max B. Having worked with Papoose, RiFF RaFF, and DMX in recent... Read more

January 5, 2016 News

Nas’ Illmatic vs. DMX’s It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

December 4, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Sheek Louch Discusses Silverback Gorilla 2 & Talks Working With Biggie and DMX (Interview)

Whereas speaking to Jadakiss or Styles P is often a lower key experience, their LOX band-mate Sheek Louch is high-energy. The Yonkers, New York veteran MC did not equate himself to one of the most ferocious members of the animal kingdom by being docile. In the Tommy Boy Entertainment conference... Read more

December 1, 2015 Food for Thought

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of November 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

As the year winds to a close, the good music shows no signs of slowing down. November brought great Hip-Hop from start to finish. Here's a playlist that features the best the month had to offer. You'll hear tracks featuring Nas, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, KRS-One, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Logic,... Read more

December 1, 2015 Mixes

And Then There Was A Never Released DMX Track…Ain’t Nowhere To Hide (Audio)

Dame Grease has produced tracks on every single one of DMX's albums. Dark Man X's longtime collaborator produced the majority of tracks on It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, including perennial bangers like "Get At Me Dog" and "Stop Being Greedy," as well as songs on later albums, such as... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out vs. DMX’s It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

November 3, 2015 Finding the GOAT

DMX May Truly Be Rakim’s Biggest Fan. Watch Them Meet To See Why (Video)

Two years ago, DMX and Rakim released collaborative single "Don't Call Me." The two storied New York City MCs worked together for the first time on the song, and had only ever met briefly before. Street Heat TV cameras recently caught the multi-platinum DMX in rare form when he encountered... Read more

October 30, 2015 Video

DJ Premier Introduces A D.I.T.C. MC…With Scratches of DMX & Grand Puba on the Hook (Audio)

Over the last 25-plus years, DJ Premier may be one of Hip-Hop's most meaningful introducers of new artists. From Nas to Mobb Deep, Jeru The Damaja to Royce Da 5'9", Preemo's music finds the greatness in many MCs. Fisher is the latest D.I.T.C.-backed artist. Showbiz and company have yet another... Read more

September 30, 2015 Audio

Remember When Jayo Felony, Method Man & DMX Made A Cross-Country Def Jam Hit Together? (Video)

While ONYX and 50 Cent are two of Jam Master Jay's star proteges—even if the latter found his success beyond JMJ Records, there is another artist he ushered in that is often overlooked. Jayo Felony became one of San Diego, California's first national Rap stars. Signed amidst the height of... Read more

July 23, 2015 Do Remember, Throwback

Finding The GOAT: Who Is the Greatest MC Of All-Time & Why Do We Care? (Video)

Chances are, if you are a Hip-Hop fan, at some point in your life, you've been embroiled in a conversation about who is Hip-Hop's Greatest Of All-Time (GOAT) MC. Whether it was in a lunch room, on a school bus, in a barber shop or in a board room, there... Read more

May 7, 2015 Video

Mannie Fresh Recalls Big Tymin’ With First Check, DMX’s Dog Fancy (Video)

Mannie Fresh may be a lover of flaunting jewels, cars, and even helicopters on some of his album covers and in older videos. However, the New Orleans, Louisiana icon and Bounce music pioneer had some humble beginnings. In a particularly jovial mood, Mannie sat down with Montreality to discuss some... Read more

April 29, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Eminem vs. DMX…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 22, 2015 Fresh

Finding the GOAT: These MCs Are Going to Round 4

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 3, there are only 21 MCs remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began in September, more than 200 MCs have been considered and millions of Hip-Hop fans have... Read more

April 12, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): DMX vs. Joe Budden…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 30, 2015 Fresh

Remember When Jay-Z and DMX Battled and Got Shown Up by Their Security Guard? (Video)

Here's a look back at one of the best moments of one of Hip-Hop's finest documentaries, Backstage. The scene was set for two of the all-time greats, DMX and Jay-Z, to go head to head in a battle. Each kicked icy cold verses...only to both be shown up by their... Read more

March 7, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): DMX vs. Fabolous…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

February 12, 2015 Fresh

Joey Bada$$’s J Dilla & The Roots-Produced Cut Gets A DMX-Inspired Visual (Video)

With the Dilla Day spirit on high, Joey Bada$$ unleashes the visual for "Like Me." This is his B4.Da.$$ showpiece, boasting production by The Roots and a posthumous J Dilla credit. With the just-released video, it's especially interesting that Badman quite obviously presents his take on DMX's 1998 breakthrough video... Read more

February 11, 2015 The Bridge

DMX is Returning with a New Album…And It’s Coming Next Week

DMX has announced he's releasing his eighth studio album and it's coming next week (January 13th). After starting off at a torrid pace, releasing his first three albums in three months, X's output has slowed a bit over the years, with his last album, Undisputed, coming over two years ago.... Read more

January 6, 2015 Fresh