RIP DMX đ´ Real Right đ´ Ruff Ryders
After witnessing DMX graduating earth on Friday morning, weâve seen more people finally recognize the contributions he had for hip-hop. After both 2pac and Biggie died, there was a void in the rap game, more in particular on the east coast. For whatever reason, the people who werenât around back then are under the belief Jay-Z immediately filled that void and was the hottest artist.
Weâre here to tell you that DMX ran the entire rap game from 98 through 2000. More so, that he earned a lead role in Belly over both Jigga and Nasir Escobar. Rap was in serious LIMBO, and DMX literally saved the game, with progression. Meaning, sponsors and events felt comfortable with the way rap was going, as he opted to not beef with rappers, since he had a serious past with realer people outside.
With X, he jumped out the gate with Itâs Dark and Hell is Hot, selling 5 million albums. Then, later in the year, he double-backed with Flesh of My Flesh to move an additional 4 million units. By the time he reached his third album the following year, he had sold over 20 million albums worldwide. This more than any other living artist at the time until Eminemâs The Marshall Mathers LP shattered everything in late 2000.
Before X really popped, many label executives were looking for the next 2pac, until they found out that would never happen. This was sadly an epidemic going around, with many panicking for the future of their jobs in the industry. Puff Daddy was the major label head that passed on him; but wanted to sign him after his buzz started getting big overnight. Lyor Cohen was the one person that believed in X from day one, as he single-handedly saved Def Jam during their darkest days.
Initially, X revealed that he disliked Pac for dissing the east coast and didnât believe Biggie was a representation of the King of NY. It took many years later for the Darkman to realize he was immature about the situations back in the day, after meeting both fellow legends. So, by going against their wishes of becoming a fake 2pac, his first mainstream record was the gritty cut, âGet at Me Dog.â Then, when âRuff Ryders Anthemâ and âHow Itâs Going Downâ released months after, he became the King of Rap.
For those that really study how both DMX and 2pac moved, the only similarities were their presentation and appearance. This is when he got respect from the masses of the south, mid-west and west coast. It was no one that had the âItâ factor he had, where he could headline any event. This was evident, when he had arguably the greatest set for Woodstock 99, when an entire audience was of the opposite race.
So, the likes of Jay-Z, Ja Rule and even Killa Cam were influenced by his style to crossover to the mainstream. Ja Rule was self-explanator, but we saw Jiggaman virtually becoming a Ruff Ryder overnight, linking up with Swizz Beatz for some of his biggest singles to crossover.
Seeing X being influential in some of the greatest rappers weâve ever seen, was quite shocking with how lost music labels were lost. This should be taken notice by more up-and-coming artists to stay with your true content and look for a sound. Because, like DMX, itâll be so hot, that the top people in the game will start to follow your lead.