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