April 12, 2026 Category: Throwback Thursday / Ruff Ryders Revival
: While his previous works were known for dark, gothic, and religious themes, this album adopted a more commercial and radio-friendly sound, which helped propel it to massive mainstream success. Grammy Recognition : The album received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 2001 Grammy Awards. Tracklist & Key Singles DMX And Then There Was X zip
The album's most successful single, peaking at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is often cited as one of the greatest party tracks in hip-hop. April 12, 2026 Category: Throwback Thursday / Ruff
The album opens with "The Kennel," a skit that sets the tone for the record’s visceral atmosphere. DMX does not ease the listener in; he confronts them. This leads into "One More Road to Cross," a track that encapsulates the DMX ethos—survival against all odds. Produced by Dame Grease, the beat is cinematic and suspenseful, allowing X to narrate a high-stakes scenario with the gravitas of a man who has lived every word. The song highlights DMX's greatest strength: his storytelling. Unlike the more abstract lyricism of his East Coast contemporaries like Nas or Jay-Z, DMX’s bars were physical. You did not just hear his rhymes; you felt the grit of the pavement and the weight of the struggle. It is often cited as one of the
This is evident on the chilling storytelling track "The Professional," but most notably on the Grammy-nominated single "What These Bitches Want" (featuring Sisqó). While the title is provocative, the song is actually a deep dive into X’s failed relationships and his own shortcomings. It showcased a vulnerability that was rare for the "hard" rap image of the late 90s.
The story of ’s third studio album, ...And Then There Was X
: Produced "Party Up (Up in Here)", "One More Road to Cross", and "Comin' for Ya".