DMX - It's Dark and Hell Is Hot

Watching DMX--baldheaded and shirtless, tattooed and musclebound--as he simultaneously goes platinum and gets arrested on rape charges (both of which occurred within weeks of this album's release), one can easily see the Yonkers, New York, rapper as a Tupac in training. And he's certainly no stranger to dumb thuggery on his much-anticipated debut. But unlike Tupac, who tempered hard-core beatdowns with party pick-me-ups, DMX is strictly business, part of a street reaction against the Puff Daddy-fueled, late-1990s slew of lightweight pop-rap crossovers. With a name too true for its own good, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot could occasionally use a cool breeze of levity. That said, the record is not without merit; despite the album's largely standard-issue beats and rhymes, both DMX's forceful voice and solid production have moments of greatness. At times DMX even manages to squeeze memorable hooks out of this otherwise claustrophobic release. --Roni Sarig Amazon.com

This album gives chills to my soul...

What can I say about this classic? It's, without a doubt in my mind, one of the greatest albums to ever come out, not just in Rap, but in music, period. Don't let the singles, such as Ruff Ryders' Anthem and Get At Me Dog fool you...not to say that those aren't good songs, just that the rest of the tracks on this album differ from those, greatly.

DMX was a unique and abstruse individual back then, just take a look at the pictures of him made for this album...he has streaks and trails of what would appear to be dirt and soil covering his body...as if he arose from the grave. In the album booklet were pictures of him dressed in bummy attire, in run-down abandoned places, looking miserly. This was in full opposition to the images portrayed by most of the rappers at this time, they looked happy, having fun, dressed in expensive clothing, celebrating...it was palpable that 'X wasn't here for all that, though...

It is apparent that DMX has, very much, dissembled from the style of this album. Unfortunately, he Raps NOTHING like this, these days. Back then, he combined a mixture of what some could call "gangsta Rap" i.e.: content about guns, crime, violence along with some excruciatingly deep and dark POETRY. - "I sold my soul to the Devil and the price was cheap, and it's cold on this level 'cause it's twice as deep". This album has to be as intelligent, intricate, and abyssal as any album to ever be made.

There are a few bacronyms for the word "Rap" itself...one is "Rhythm And Poetry", another is "Rhythmically Applied Poetry", whichever you'd go with, this album would exemplify that meaning.

Each track of this beautiful album illustrates such intense visuals. I could list tracks, (Let Me Fly - prob'ly my favorite song of all time, Look Thru My Eyes, I Can Feel It, Damien, and also the Intro, which has to be the best Intro of all time) but why bother to name tracks when the fact is that the entire album is worth playing from start to finish?

I have a peculiar theory about this album...I think DMX might've actually made a deal with Satan to grant him supreme skills, fame and fortune. Perhaps the track Damien wasn't merely a brilliant piece of art with a message, but a real life encounter? Maybe it's why DMX has now ruined his career and life, via substances...maybe he's currently paying his debt to Satan himself. Or maybe not...? Whatever the case, just don't forget that It's Dark and Hell is Hot... January 2, 2008

X Gon Give it To Ya!

DMX has the fiercest flow I have ever heard from a rap artist. His growls, barks and snarling make him seem really angry and forceful throughout the album creating one hell of a great sound. His subject matter is deep and his poetic style complete this album perfectly. Well Done. September 13, 2007

DMX IS CRUEL TO ANIMALS

Don't give your hard earned cash to this creep. DMX has been busted twice for animal cruelty. He's a weazel. August 26, 2007

Awesome

"DMX" has had a few cds put out over the years, and they are good. However, "It's Dark and Hell is Hot" would be the best out of them all. The songs, besides the "Skits" are excellent, and well produced. "DMX" knows what he's doing, and shows it well on this cd. If you're a fan, Make sure you have this cd. May 31, 2007

It Doesn't Get More Graphic Then This

DMX (Earl Simmons) doesn't need to prove he got street credability. He came from very rough conditions and for a while he lived on the streets and his only way to survive was through robbery and he came in contact with the police at early stage. Music was his saviour, but it took quite a while for him to get a record deal, at age 28 Def Jam would finally make it possible with an album (It's Dark and Hell is Hot) that would pretty much be what DMX wanted and covers his rough an violent backround. Released in 1998, DMX a real hardcore MC filled the void after Tupac and Notorious B.I.G and helped the Gangsta Rap to not get fully extinct. At the Time of this release Hip Hop had changed dramatically with the Emergence of Diddy and commercial radio friendly Rap with many guest artists, popular smaples and lyrics dealing with commercialism. But DMX was nothing like that, he teamed up with then unknown record producer Swizz Beatz that produce the majority of songs here and from start to finnish he deals with some of the most serious and roughest issues you've ever heard of, Infact It's so Violent that the Explicit Lyrics tag looks like a bad April's joke. And apart from many other rappers DMX doesn't try to apply to diffrent audiences, he deals with what he knows best and he's very direct to get to the point with graphic story telling, most songs deals with strenght, violence, faith and struggle. He may not be the deep steet poet like Nas, but his music in fascinating cause we know that he's been through it and it's so scary and graphical listening to. DMX flow is more like an agressive dog, he coughs, growls, and barks and constantly used the word "What!" but it makes him unique.

The big hit "Ruff Ryders Anthem" got the Swizz Beatz sound all over it and serves as a good anthem for this album. Other good songs are "Get at Me Dog", "Look Thru My Eyes" "Let Me Fly" and "How it's Going" with Faith Evans, a much slower song then the majority here that deals with sleeping with a woman that is already married, (like he gave a damn anyway)!. On "I Can Feel It" they sample Phil Collins classic song about depression "In The Air Tonight" and is on point. On the 2 minute skit "Prayer" we find DMX revealing his fear for hell and admitting he's been through alot of suffer and pain and made a fair share of mistakes in his life aswell but he's ready to suffer even more if god will show mercy on his brother. This album got 19 songs which is a bit too much perhaps and there's alot of over-serious lyrics for over 60 minutes of plating time, but you got to respect him for not turning commercial and trying to apply to everyone. "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" is Not quite an 5 star album, but it had an significant meaning for Hip Hop and it's a very strong album no matter how you put it. DMX would continue doing some good albums but has now been quiet for a while but should be back this year with a new album. Beat Maker Swizz Beatz is now one of the finest producers in the world. Overall rating 4'5 stars. May 16, 2007

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