Although not credited as his best work, the. “Party Up (Up in Here)” was even nominated for the Best Rap Solo Performance Grammy in 2001. And Then There Was X is the third album by American rapper DMX, released Decemon Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. The next two, “What These Bitches Want” featuring Sisqo and “Party Up (Up in Here)” didn’t make an appearance on any chart but are still viable hits of an era when rap music ran the club scene.

The first of the three, “What’s My Name?” reached a peak of #67 on the Billboard Hot 100. The singles from this project weren’t as independently successful as the whole, but there are nonetheless noted as parts of Hip Hop history. The high impact, heavy synthesized beats allowed DMX to channel his inner dog and release that crazy club rattling sound that he is known for. The beat selection chosen helped to solidify DMX’s sound that he had become comfortable with over his past two albums. Killer, both members of Ruff Ryders Entertainment. The production of this album came in large part from Swizz Beatz and P. But whether ferocious, amped up, or introspective, the MC remained grounded by his faith, which, especially in the later years of his career, he approached with nothing short of. Songs like “One More Road to Cross” and “Fame” are two examples of the other side of himself that DMX is able to put in his music. And Then There Was X, where even the anthemic Party Up served as a prime example of DMXs uniquely intense take on hardcore hip-hop. Along with being a party starter, this album has a few introspective tracks that even out the tone. The energy on this project is just as high as the other and the album is packed with just as many bangers as the first two.

Although it does sound a lot like his previous two releases, their is no sign of burn out. With this being DMX’s third album in two years, one would expect it to sound forced and played out.

1999 dmx and then there was x