On this day in Hip Hop history, the Original Ruff Ryder, DMX, released his third and most successful LP, …And Then There Was X in 1999. DMX is one of the most slept on titans of Hip Hop and the sales of this project alone are more than enough to silence any disbelief of his place as one of the most successful emcees in rap. In 2000, this album was certified quintuple platinum (that’s 5x) and was nominated for Best Rap Album (back when it actually meant something) at the 2001 Grammy Awards. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 which made DMX Hip Hop’s only artist to have their first three albums start off atop the Billboard Top 200 chart, holding the #1 spot.
With this being DMX’s third album in two years, one would expect it to sound forced and played out. This project proved just the opposite. Although it does sound a lot like his previous two releases, their is no sign of burn out. The energy on this project is just as high as the other and the album is packed with just as many bangers as the first two. Along with being a party starter, this album has a few introspective tracks that even out the tone. Songs like “One More Road to Cross” and “Fame” are two examples of the other side of himself that DMX is able to put in his music. The production of this album came in large part from Swizz Beatz and P. Killer, both members of Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The beat selection chosen helped to solidify DMX’s sound that he had become comfortable with over his past two albums. The high impact, heavy synthesized beats allowed DMX to channel his inner dog and release that crazy club rattling sound that he is known for.
The singles from this project weren’t as independently successful as the whole, but there are nonetheless noted as parts of Hip Hop history. The first of the three, “What’s My Name?” reached a peak of #67 on the Billboard Hot 100. The next two, “What These Bitches Want” featuring Sisqo and “Party Up (Up in Here)” didn’t make an appearance on any chart but are still viable hits of an era when rap music ran the club scene. “Party Up (Up in Here)” was even nominated for the Best Rap Solo Performance Grammy in 2001.
DMX went on to release four more studio albums, the first of which to continue is reign of albums debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. After this project DMX’s career spanned outside of music with the success of this album given him the opportunity to make his abilities known on the big screen starring in action films opposite Jet Li and Aaliyah. And although there was a long pause in DMX’s career due to his personal life, there has been talk of an 8th album releasing this coming year so the last of DMX is nowhere in sight. Only time will tell what is in store.
