DMX - …And Then There Was X

On December 21, 1999, DMX released an album that would mark American rap history. ...And Then There Was X, released under the labels The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, and Ruff Ryders Entertainment, was eagerly anticipated. It came a few months after It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998) and well before The Great Depression (2001). At the time, rap was undergoing a turning point: between the influences of 90s boom bap and the arrival of more commercial sounds. DMX, with his iconic voice and dark themes, occupied a central place in this landscape. His third studio album was an event. The album achieved significant commercial success: certified 4x Platinum in 2000 then 5x Platinum, it was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2001. Critical reception was however divided. Some hailed it as containing DMX's biggest hits, while others wished for a return to less commercial sounds. Despite this, ...And Then There Was X remains an album that marked a generation. Among the most documented tracks are X Gon' Give It To Ya, What's My Name, and Party Up (Up in Here), three songs that largely contributed to the album's notoriety. Their presence on the record allowed DMX to assert his unique style, mixing rage, introspection, and raw energy. The features, though limited, brought unexpected boosts to the project. On Blackout, the collaboration with The Lox & Black Rob added a more collective dimension to the album, reinforcing the gangsta side that has always characterized DMX. The song Come Back in One Piece welcomes Aaliyah, whose soft and melodic voice creates a striking contrast with DMX's riffs, opening a door toward more pop sounds. On D-X-L (Hard White), The Lox return to his side, bringing rhythmic density that reinforces the hard-core aspect of the record. Finally, on Angel, Regina Belle adds a touch of soul and emotion that balances the violence of DMX's lyrics. The verdict on ...And Then There Was X remains ambiguous: certified multiple times, nominated for Grammys, it is considered a peak in DMX's oeuvre. Yet, some critics highlighted an evolution toward more commercial sounds that one would have wished to see move away from. However, the record remains an important witness to a key period of American rap, where artists like DMX dominated the scene with their raw authenticity and ability to reach listeners on multiple registers. ...And Then There Was X is not just an album by DMX: it is an important page in hip-hop history.