"How's It Goin' Down" is the third single by American rapper DMX

DMX (rapper)

Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...

 featuring R&B singer Faith Evans

Faith Evans

Faith Renée Evans is an American singer-songwriter, recording artist, record producer, actress and author. Born in Florida and raised in New Jersey, Evans relocated to Los Angeles during 1993 for a career with the music business. After working as a backing vocalist for Al B...

, from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot

It's Dark and Hell Is Hot

It's Dark and Hell is Hot is the debut album of American rapper DMX, released May 19, 1998 on Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. The album featured four singles with music videos, "Get at Me Dog", "Stop Being Greedy", "How's It Goin' Down" and the "Ruff Ryders Anthem"...

. The single peaked at number #70 on the Billboard Hot 100

Billboard Hot 100

The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...

 in the U.S.

Production

The instrumental is produced by P.K. of the Ruff Ryders group.

Lyrics

The song is about DMX meeting a girl and eventually carrying on an affair with her. This leads to the girl's current boyfriend attacking a man he believes is DMX. Eventually, by the song's end, DMX decides that carrying on the relationship would be wrong and tells the girl she should go back to her boyfriend.

Music Video

The music video for the song essentially depicts the lyrics, and also notably features cameos by then-unknown artists Eve, Ja Rule

Ja Rule

Jeffrey Atkins , better known by his stage name Ja Rule, is an American rapper, singer, and actor.Born in Hollis, Queens, he began his career in the group Cash Money Click and debuted in 1999 with Venni Vetti Vecci and its single "Holla Holla"...

 and Irv Gotti, all of whom would rise to prominence in the following year.

Chart positions

Chart	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...	70
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	19