It's Dark and Hell Is Hot - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

It's Dark and Hell is Hot is the debut album of American rapper

Rapping

Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...

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...

, released May 19, 1998 on Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam Recordings is an American record label, focused primarily on hip hop and urban music, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Motown Music Group...

. The album featured four singles with music videos, "Get at Me Dog

Get at Me Dog

"Get at Me Dog" is the first single by DMX. It's his debut single for Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings from his debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot...

", "Stop Being Greedy

Stop Being Greedy

"Stop Being Greedy" is the second single by DMX from his debut Studio album. The single peaked at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.-Production:...

", "How's It Goin' Down

How's It Goin' Down

"How's It Goin' Down" is the third single by American rapper DMX featuring R&B singer Faith Evans, from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. The single peaked at number #70 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.-Production:...

" and the "Ruff Ryders Anthem". The album is widely considered classic by numerous hip hop fans and critics.

Style

Before the album was released, DMX collaborated with producers Irv Gotti, P.K., Dame Grease

Dame Grease

Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...

, and Swizz Beatz. Each producer utilized their particular style while creating the album's instrumentals. It's Dark and Hell Is Hot features gothic instrumentals created mostly by P.K.; DMX raps mostly about violence. DMX is commonly known for his rough voice; "dog barks" and "dog growls" are featured throughout the album. Many of the songs on It's Dark and Hell Is Hot are made up of dark beats and harsh lyrics, showing anticipation of violence. Compared to aggressive songs like "Intro", tracks like "Ruff Ryders' Anthem", "How's It Goin' Down" have a lighter theme and delivery. The album also features more introspective tracks including "Let Me Fly", "For My Dogs", and others. "Damien" is a story, with characters voiced by DMX highlighting the relationship between DMX and a character named Damien, with whom the rapper makes a deal which involves committing acts of violence in return for fortune and fame. The relationship represents the classic allegory of a mafia dilemma and being forced to make a decision on something you are uncomfortable with a la Scarface when he has to bomb a car with kids inside.

Lyrical themes

It's Dark and Hell Is Hot is known for featuring very extreme lyrics about violence with songs like "Intro","X-Is Coming", and a lot more. The album is still known for DMX's painful past life when he was younger which is known on "Look Thru My Eyes" and "Let Me Fly". More topics are included like love, rage

Rage (emotion)

Rage is a feeling of intense anger. It is associated with the Fight-or-flight response and oftentimes activated in response to an external cue, such as the murder of a loved one. The phrase, 'thrown into a fit of rage,' expresses the immediate nature of rage that occurs before deliberation. If left...

, stories, and God

God

God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....

. Unlike many hip hop albums DMX features prayers

Prayers

is an anime set in the year 2014 where the young of Japan have rebelled against the government for segregating Shibuya and declared themselves to be independent of Japan...

which are dialogues with him and God.

Rolling Stone critic, Miles Marshall Lewis, talked about the lyrics in "X-Is Coming" and he quoted these lines from the song: "If you got a daughter older than fifteen, I'm a rape her/Take her on the living-room floor, right there in fronta you/Then ask you seriously, 'What you wanna do?'". In his response for his reaction to the extreme violent writing ability of DMX, he answered: "Even within the context of a hardcore rap album, DMX goes beyond the pale". Some of DMX's most-violent lyrics, inspired by horror, crime, and hardcore rap created a style that would dominate a portion of the rap industry. The earliest examples of these lyrics would be the unreleased songs "Gotti Style" (Featuring Ja Rule), "Read About It" (Featuring Ja Rule), many unreleased freestyles, and his verse on Mic Geronimo

Mic Geronimo

Mic Geronimo is an American hip-hop rapper who was acquainted with Irv Gotti of Murder Inc.. Gotti and his brother met Mic Geronimo at a Queens high school talent show, and Mic agreed to record a single...

's 1995 song "Time To Build" with appearances by an early Jay-Z

Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...

and 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"...

Reception

Critic reviews were largely positive. Allmusic commented that "Unlike so many other hardcore rappers who are more rhetorical than physical, DMX commands an aggressive aura without even speaking a word". "Leading Hip Hop magazine The Source, described the album as "a mind-gripping opus that fully encompasses the appeal of one of rap's newest sensations". Referred to as one of the best debut rap albums, critics called the album a necessary introduction to one of the greatest hardcore rappers in hip-hop. DMX was praised for his imagery, stories and lyricism.

The album has gained significant commercial success, selling more than 4 million copies worldwide. The album sold 251,000 copies in its first week; debuting at number one on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Track listing

#	Title	Producers	Featured Guest(s)	Time	Sample(s)
1	"Intro"	Irv Gotti and Lil' Rob		4:09	Contains a sample of "Beyond Forever", as performed by Mtume Mtume Mtume was a funk and soul group that had several R&B hits in the 1980s. Its founder, percussionist James Mtume, previously played with Miles Davis in the 1970s. Other members of the group included Reggie Lucas and Tawatha Agee.-History:... Contains audio excerpts from the film "Tales from the Hood Tales from the Hood Tales From the Hood is a 1995 horror anthology film directed by Rusty Cundieff, and executive produced by Spike Lee. It presents four short African American-themed horror stories, presented within the frame story of three drug dealers buying some "found" drugs from an eccentric and story-prone... "
2	"Ruff Ryders' Anthem Ruff Ryders' Anthem "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" is the fourth and final single by DMX from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. It ranks at #79 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. In the U.S. it peaked at #94 on the Billboard Hot 100.-Production:... "	Swizz Beatz Swizz Beatz Kasseem Dean , better known by his stage name, Swizz Beatz, is an American record producer, DJ, rapper and painter. At the age of 17, he gained attention in the hip-hop world through his friendship with rapper DMX. Grady Spivey and rapper Cassidy helped launch his label Full Surface Records...		3:34
3	"Fuckin' wit' D"	P.K. and Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...		2:18	Contains a sample of "Shifting Gears", as performed by John Hammond Contains a sample of "Rockin' for My Hometown", as performed by K-Solo K-Solo K-Solo is an American rapper from Central Islip, New York who, along with EPMD, Redman, Das EFX, and Keith Murray, was part of the Hit Squad in 1990s.-Late years:...
4	"The Storm (Skit)"			1:00
5	"Look thru My Eyes"	P.K. and Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...		3:50
6	"Get at Me Dog Get at Me Dog "Get at Me Dog" is the first single by DMX. It's his debut single for Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings from his debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot... "	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996... and P.K	Sheek Louch Sheek Louch Sean Divine Jacobs, better known as Sheek Louch , is an African American rapper and member of The LOX , along with Styles P and Jadakiss.-Personal life and career:...	4:03	Contains a sample of "Get The Bozack", as performed by EPMD EPMD EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is a concatenation of the members' name "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith... Contains a sample of "Everything Good To You (Ain't Always Good For You)", as performed by B.T. Express B.T. Express B.T. Express was an American funk/disco group, that had a number of successful songs during the 1970s.-Career:... Contains a sample of "Will They Die 4 U?", as performed by Mase Mase Mason Durell Betha , better known by stage name Mase who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker... featuring Puff Daddy and Lil' Kim Lil' Kim Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
7	"Let Me Fly"	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996... and Young Lord		4:12	Contains a sample of "Lo Dudo", as performed by José José José José José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz , known by his artistic name José José, is a Mexican singer.Referred in the entertainment world as "El Príncipe de la Canción" , José José is best known for his romantic ballads and renowned for his vocals...
8	"X-Is Coming X-Is Coming "X-Is Coming" is a song by DMX. The instrumental was produced by P.K. It features DMX delivering more hardcore lyrics over a dark and horrorcore influenced beat. The lyrical subjects involves: murder, rape, indignation, and violence. X-Is Coming is also known as one of the raw, Gothic tracks or... "	P.K.		4:18
9	"Damien"	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...		3:42
10	"How's It Goin' Down How's It Goin' Down "How's It Goin' Down" is the third single by American rapper DMX featuring R&B singer Faith Evans, from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. The single peaked at number #70 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.-Production:... "	P.K. and Dame Grease	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...	4:42
11	"Mickey" (Skit)			0:25
12	"Crime Story"	Irv Gotti and Lil' Rob		3:47	Contains a sample of "Easin In", as performed by Edwin Starr Edwin Starr Edwin Starr was an American soul music singer. Starr is most famous for his Norman Whitfield produced singles of the 1970s, most notably the number one hit "War".-Biography:...
13	"Stop Being Greedy Stop Being Greedy "Stop Being Greedy" is the second single by DMX from his debut Studio album. The single peaked at #79 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.-Production:... "	P.K. and Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...		3:37	Contains a sample of "My Hero Is a Gun", as performed by Diana Ross Diana Ross Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
14	"ATF"	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...		1:56
15	"For My Dogs"	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...	Drag-On Drag-On Mel Jason Smalls , better known as Drag-On, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York City.Drag-On was originally signed to Interscope Records under the Ruff Ryders Entertainment imprint, where he released his successful debut album, Opposite of H2O, which debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200... , Big Stan, Loose & Kasino	4:11
16	"I Can Feel It"	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...		4:13	Contains a sample of "In The Air Tonight In the Air Tonight "In the Air Tonight" is a song by Phil Collins that first appeared on his 1981 album Face Value. It was recorded in 1979 and was the first single of Collins' solo career, and remains one of his best-known hits. The music video, directed by Stuart Orme, was released in 1981.-The song/recording:The... ", as performed by Phil Collins Phil Collins Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
17	"Prayer (Skit)"			2:31
18	"The Convo"	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...		3:33	Contains a sample of "Nights on Broadway", as performed by The Bee Gees
19	"Niggaz Done Started Something"	Dame Grease Dame Grease Damon Blackmon, or Dame Grease, is a Harlem, New York based video and music producer.Before becoming a staple on every mixtape, The LOX relied on the sounds of Grease in order to acquire the street buzz that landed them their deal on Bad Boy Records in 1996...	The L.O.X. & Mase Mase Mason Durell Betha , better known by stage name Mase who was previously known as Murda Ma$e, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and inspirational speaker...	5:09	Contains a sample of "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", by Grover Washington, Jr. Grover Washington, Jr. Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre.He wrote some of his material and...

Sales

Chart (1998)	Peak position
Canadian Albums Chart	15
U.S. Billboard 200	1
U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums	1

The album debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200

Billboard 200

The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...

, and sold 251,000 copies in its first week. It was certified 4x Platinum by RIAA on December 18, 2000.

Style

Lyrical themes

Reception

Track listing

Sales

See also