Well Well Well... it seems that DMX is retiring at last. After 4 successful albums, his final album Grand Champ, was recently dropped. I've decided I will take a rewind course back to 1999, in the midst of DMX's maximum popularity. His debut album was gritty, grimy, street influenced, and underground sounding, by the name of Its Dark and Hell is Hot. Less than a year later, DMX makes his return with his sophomore effort and equally successful album Flesh of my Flesh, Blood of my Blood. Now remember, just because an album was successful does not mean its any good, at least to the hip-hop heads. Question is... is this album good?

Track List & Rating

The album kicks into high gear with the dope track "Bring Your Whole Crew". The gritty and grimy feel of DMX's debut album stays on here. If youve heard one DMX song, youve heard them all. However, on this particular song, his lyrics aren't bad whatsoever, in fact, better than a lot of some of his other work. The dark, pounding beat provides a perfect atmosphere, but of course, DMX's lyrics are stand-out, specially with these lines: "I got blood on my hands and there's no remorse, and got blood on my d*ck cause I f*cked a corpse, I'm a nasty n*gga - when you pass me n*gga look me in my eyes, Tell me to my f*ckin face that you ready to die", and of course: "now I'ma have to get you kid, and split your wig, wit the machete, I bring beef to n*ggaz, and string em out, like spaghetti".

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige joins DMX on the introspective "Coming From". DMX, as usual, is nowhere near being a breakthrough lyricist, but on this song DMX's pure creativity, inner emotion, and energy is what makes the track good. The subject matter revolves around a nightmarish world which DMX paints where nothing is good, and everything revolves around death and destruction. The nice piano loop and background keyboard effects give the song a deep, soothing underground feel to them, and Mary J. Blige's chorus is another good addition to the song. Definetely a dope track.

As i said in the opening sentence, this is a sequel to the infamous track from It's Dark and Hell is Hot where DMX faces off against his alter-ego Damien who is always giving DMX bad ideas. DMX struggles with his conscious on this track just like he did on the original, questioning death and which path in life to take. The production features the same gritty, grimy and haunting feel of the original, this time with Marilyn Manson providing the dark, gothic hook and a nice sample of the Jason chuckle from the Friday the 13th movies. One of my favorite songs from Flesh of my Flesh, Blood of my Blood.

DMX gives us some pretty dope introspection on "Dogs For Life", as he describes his street life and mentality exactly, once again touching on loyalty, trust, and friendship. The production is saddening and easy to listen to with soft synthesizers and chimes, giving the song a deep, atmospheric touch, perfect for DMX's thought-provoking lyrics.

Like on every DMX album, he decides to examine his religion on the closing track entitled "Ready to Meet Him". He prays on the record, making it rhyme, giving us a great touch on religion which is something that makes DMX such a different, yet respectable artist. The fact that he always thanks the lord for his success and his life is an amazing thing and i wouldn't mind it if more rappers did it (even if they get accused of being DMX-copiers). After his prayer, we get to the very song on the track. The song is another DMX introspective banger. DMX raps for the safety of himself, his family, and the streets, speaking to the Lord himself. DMX's lyrics arent breakthrough, but the emotion and feel of the lyrics are there, and that makes up for it in my personal opinion. "I'm ready to meet him -- our father, who art in heaven, I'm not ashamed to ask for guidance at twenty-seven, No longer afraid to knock on your door, Not scared anymore to lose my life in the war, After what I just saw, I'm ridin with the Lord, Cause I really can't afford to lose my head by the sword, And now that I've seen, what I need to see, Please take me, where I - need to be". This with extraordinary production makes a perfect close to the album.