Def Jam's Cash In On DMX (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars)
Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 06/28/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's no suprise that Def Jam would drop a greatest hits album for DMX since he left the record label and dropped Year of the Dog...Again on Columbia back in late '06. DMX has been in the rap game since the early 90's finally getting noticed in '98 with the song "Ruff Ryders Anthem". Collaborating with artists like Jay-Z, Ja Rule (those were the good ol' days of Def Jam) he has dropped rememerable verses. He has dropped some dope albums like It's Dark and Hell Is Hot & Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood back in '98.
The Definiton of X: Pick Up The Litter is a good overview of DMX between 1998-2003. What I like about these albums is that most of the hit singles are on here (isn't that what a greatest hits is all about). Classic songs like "Get At Me Dog", "Party Up (Up In Here)", "Blackout", and "Slippin'" are on here, and are great to hear. I also enjoy "Who We Be" from The Great Depression album as wel, as each song brings back memories of bumping most of these songs throughout middle and high school.
It's no suprise that, like everybody else, has their own beef with what songs should and should not be on here. I personally believe some of the remixes are on here like "Ruff Ryders Anthem (remix)" and "Get At Me Dog (remix)", not to mention a few B-sides as well.
Overall, this is a great place to start listening to DMX, especially if you missed him in his earlier years. If you're like me, and own every album, picking this up would be pointless (a friend let me borrow this one). What I fear is that later on down the road, this will be the only entry point to DMX, as all of his albums on Def Jam will be out of print. But I hope that doesn't happen anytime soon. But even fans of X will be happy with this album. Peace."
Good starting point for new DMX listeners
ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 06/21/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Like a lot of people my age, DMX is an artist I've grown up listening to, and while he's never been my favorite rapper, I've always thoroughly enjoyed his music, be it pump-up jams, depressed narratives, or collabos with the Ruff Ryders. "The Definition of X: Pick of the Litter" is a poorly labeled greatest hits compilation of his five Def Jam albums. DMX left Def Jam in 2005, so his most recent album, 2006's Year of the Dog...Again is not represented on this disc. The bulk of the album's tracklist is taken from his first two albums, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, both released in 1998. These albums are widely considered classic material and contain a lot of his darker, angrier work. There are six songs from 1999's And Then There Was X, his most commercially successful album, containing most of his most popular hits. 2001's The Great Depression and 2003's Grand Champ both contribute two tracks, which is suitable because while both solid albums, they contained less great material than his first three. Like with any greatest hits compilation, everyone's always going to have a little beef with the tracklist, personally I would have liked to see some tracks from the Ruff Ryders albums and some more soundtrack cuts, and a few notable hits are missing such as "I Miss You" and "Get It on the Floor." If you've had access to a radio or cable TV over the last eight years, chances are you know most, if not all, of these songs. But overall, this is a very potent collection of some great music.
DMX is a passionate and totally engaging rapper, and he can range from sullen and depressed to inspired and pumping. His best known work would be his club hits such as "Party Up (Up in Here)" and "Ruff Ryders Anthem." These upbeat bangers, of which there are many on this collection, are all wonderfully produced and extremely entertaining. And while there's less in the tracklist, you also get a taste of his sullen and spiritual side with songs like "The Rain" and the "Prayer" interludes. The tracklist is pretty well rounded and well selected.
If any DMX fans are confused by this recent release, don't be fooled by the misleading title and art, because this is a greatest hits collection. Those fans who own his Def Jam albums need not purchase this, because they will have all those songs already. But if you're just getting into DMX or never got around to buying one of his albums, this would certainly be a worthwhile purchase. I know I've spent countless hours listening to the songs on this tracklist over the years, and a few others probably will now too thanks to this collection."
DMX - The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter
Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 06/20/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"DMX (A.K.A. Earl Simmons) delivers a greatest hits album with "The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter" which features material from his first five album's, no joints from his 2006 release "Year of the Dog... Again" are included on this release.
Tracklisting
1 Prayer III (...And Then There Was X)
2 Ruff Ryders' Anthem (It's Dark and Hell is Hot)
3 Get At Me Dog (It's Dark and Hell is Hot)
4 Stop Being Greedy (It's Dark and Hell is Hot)
5 How's it Going Down (It's Dark and Hell is Hot)
6 What These B*tches Want (...And Then There Was X)
7 Blackout (Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood)
8 What's My Name? (...And Then There Was X)
9 Where the Hood At (Grand Champ)
10 Party Up (Up in Here) (...And Then There Was X)
11 X Gon' Give it to Ya (Cradle 2 The Grave Soundtrack)
12 It's All Good (Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood)
13 Who We Be (The Great Depression)
14 The Rain (Grand Champ)
15 Here We Go Again (...And Then There Was X)
16 No Love 4 Me (Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood)
17 We Right Here (The Great Depression)
18 One More Road to Cross (...And Then There Was X)
19 Slippin' (Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood)
20 Prayer (Skit) (It's Dark and Hell is Hot)
Being a DMX fan I own all six of his album's, so none of this material is new to me. I think every fan will have preferred track's that they would like to see make (or be cut off) this release and have their own opinion on how the track listing should of been arranged. I could talk extensively about mine, but won't. My favourite DMX track is "Slippin'", I think "The Rain" is one of the DMX track's which has been slept on some so I was glad to see it included on this release. DMX has done some great soundtrack track's over the years - Belly, Cradle 2 The Grave, Exit Wounds, he has also made some memorable guest appearances. End of the day "The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter" may be a good starting point for newcomers, older fan's can be on the lookout for his seventh solo album currently titled "Soul of a Man" and for his appearance on the Belly sequel "Beast"."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1