Rapper DMX proves why he is amongst the greatest
Flashback to the year 1998. Many were listening to the likes of Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, Third Eye Blind, Marcy Playground, Chumbawamba, ‘N Sync, The Verve, 98 Degrees, just to name a few.
I gravitated more towards Master P, K-Ci & JoJo and Big Pun. Then I so thankfully stumbled upon DMX. I wasn’t big into East Coast rap, but X was different and his debut record set the blueprint for me to be an honorary member of the Ruff Ryders.
Fast forward to 2019. Now 48, DMX performed to a standing room only crowd April 14 at the House of Blues in downtown Houston on the “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot 20th Anniversary Tour” celebrating 20 years of his first album that went on to sell more than 4 million copies.
According to SoundScan, DMX is the fifth best selling rapper in the United States, plus his global album sales have surpassed 70 million.
DMX hit the stage after a short intro with his signature growl that led into his 2001 hit “We Right Here” then “Who We Be,” which are both off the album The Great Depression.
It was five songs into the show before we got our first taste of It’s Dark and Hell is Hot and that came in the form of “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.” X rapped four tracks from the record in “Get at Me Dog,” “Stop Being Greedy” and “How’s It Goin’ Down.”
Of course what’s a DMX show without “What’s My Name?” “What These B*tches Want,” “X Gon’ Give it to Ya,” “Where the Hood At” and Party Up (Up in Here).”
The only disappointment (really just me being greedy) was the absence of the song “No Sunshine” of the Exit Wounds soundtrack from the film starring himself and Steven Seagal.
*Setlist*
We Right Here
Who We Be
One More Road to Cross
The Professional
Ruff Ryders’ Anthem
Get It on the Floor
Get at Me Dog
Stop Being Greedy
What’s My Name?
How’s It Goin’ Down
It’s All Good
What These B*tches Want
X Gon’ Give It to Ya
Where the Hood At
Party Up (Up in Here)
Slippin’
Prayer
Chad Cooper is the Entertainment Editor. Contact cooper [at] theexaminer [dot] com
