DMX unexpectedly passed away on April 9 at White Plains Hospital after suffering a catastrophic heart attack, but he left behind an impenetrable legacy and a nearly completed album he titled Exodus.
Longtime friend and producer Swizz Beatz, who worked on projects such as 1998’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, was tasked with bringing the album to completion.
Right on schedule, Exodus arrived at midnight EST on Friday (May 28) with a star-studded tracklist, including JAY-Z, Nas, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, U2’s Bono, The LOX, Alicia Keys and Griselda, among others.
The 13-track album runs the gamut from hard-hitting bangers to more downtempo, heartfelt tracks like “Letter To My Son (Call Your Father),” a gut-wrenching portrait of a man struggling to raise his child as an addict.
“You’re thе oldest, I known you longer, but I don’t love thеm less,” DMX raps with his heart on his sleeve. “Had to get that off my chest/Now I know what you thought about my use of drugs/But taught you enough to not use them drugs/When you were a kid, you play with toys, OK/But you a man, put them toys away.”
But it was “Bath Salts” featuring former rivals JAY-Z and Nas that lit up Twitter and soon became a trending topic. The song was originally recorded in 2012 for Nas’ Life Is Good album but never made the cut. Jadakiss was initially on the song as well but was removed for unknown reasons.
Fans really seemed to gravitate to Nas’ line where he spits, “Let’s put success to the side/I’d still be this fly if I worked at Popeye’s/That’s a whole lot of spinach/Whole game full of gimmicks/Make a foot out of yourself for a post on Akademiks.”
Other highlights include “Dogs Out” with Lil Wayne and “Walking In The Rain” featuring Nas, DMX’s youngest son Exodus Simmons and Denaun.
During a private album listening party earlier this month, Swizz Beatz talked about how DMX’s death was one of the biggest curve balls of his life.
“He was just in a good vibe,” Swizz explained to HipHopDX and the other attendees. “He was just in a good energy. I can’t lie. When he left us, I was pretty shocked because he was just ready to go to the next level. We started the album cycle and then we was going to start the physical fitness side of it.
“We was about to go to the gym. We was about to be on a different type of the schedule for the whole month and he was in a good space. All of a sudden, that news happened and it just changed all the plans.”
Check out the album stream, cover art and tracklist below.
- That’s My Dog f. The LOX & Swizz Beatz
- Bath Salts f. JAY-Z & Nas
- Dogs Out f. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz
- Money Money Money f. Moneybagg Yo
- Hold Me Down f. Alicia Keys
- Skyscrapers f. Bono
- Stick Up Skit
- Hood Blues f. Benny The Butcher, Westside Gunn & Conway The Machine
- Take Control f. Snoop Dogg
- Walking In The Rain f. Nas, Exodus Simmons & Denaun
- Letter To My Son (Call Your Father) f. Usher & Brian King Joseph
- Prayer
I’ll definitely take this song over whatever the other song was that came out earlier this week.
King Hov lost to Nas on this one. Crypto Scarface Nas killed it. RIP X
No way that you admit it! RIP X
I am a huge X fan and he’s definitely my favorite rapper… but this album is clearly not doin it for me. Except Bath Salts I didn’t feel the rest of the tracks. I wished X would have made featured songs only with the Ruff Ryders family for old time’s sake (Drag-On, Eve, LOX, etc.) instead of bubblegum artists such as Lil Wayne, Usher, Moneybagg Yo and Snoop. Only Jay-Z, Nas and the Lox are legitimate on this album. And most of the beats are either cheezy or pretty weak considering what X used to embody in his career: rage, ambition, frustration, anger and devotion to his craft. Now I understand someone in his 50’s cannot rap like he used to do when he was in his late 20’s but it doesn’t mean he has to change his whole format and narrative. I’m going to replay Bath Salts for the next days since it’s a huge hit and I was waiting for this track to be released since 2013!
I wanted the album to sound like that LOX single bout shit. That song was crazy dope. This album trash. X sounds like he’s 90 not 50 and the circus slash pop Swizz beats are fucking retarted. Alicia Keys and Bono songs sound like that pop uk rap from 2011. Worst shit I heard in me life. FOH
None of the artists mentioned are bubblegum artists. I hate fake fans like you, X made a beautiful album and it should be celebrated as such.
Wayne verse was great and he washed DMX on that song. Maybe Wayne’s wordplay was to much for your shiiit head
Whatever you say bitch.
lmao dude said drag on
This album is hip hop, X don’t pander
This album is damn near perfect. Only track Im not feeling is money money money. I also think that Alicia Keys joint shouldve came in earlier, maybe 2nd or 3rd. Other than that. This is dope.
That song cool, but Jay’s just coasting nowadays. Walking in the rain is MUCH tougher…
I truly believe that this is not how X wanted his album to be.
I am very saddened the fact Swizz said this is the album that X wanted to release (that is bullshit to me). These cats are just cashing in on his name. Swizz hang your head down in shame, West Coast don’t play that BS, Snoop said himself that ain’t what he worked on. GOD bless a soulless human.
Wrong and pessimistic
yes, you random internet commenter, know Earl more personally than the people he grew his career with.
This album was done before he died idiot. Just finishing touches. Watch the interviews before u talk shit
They needed something really fast before X’s dead body got cold and they can make so-called fans with never-has-been features like Westside Dumb, Moneyhungrybagg Yo, Bo No, Cornyway and Benny the Grocer. They should’ve put Elvis on a hook. Gtfoh.
Says the guy who thinks Slim Jesus is the greatest rapper ever…you really should get out more ya stick bundle
X said on Drink Champs his album was full of features he even mentioned Griselda and Bono by name. Y’all assuming Swiss did this for money like you know X. Stop being bitter always looking for someone to be mad at – this is the album he wanted.
Maybe…but they sure as hell didn’t waste time pushing it AFTER his death. Wasn’t making much noise before.
Lol @ “Maybe”. He was in the middle of a press run when he died Swizz just picked up where he left off. Just admit you fools are looking for a reason to hate as usual.
Swizz beats played this song in the versus battle 4 years back and some verses from jay and nas have been cut this ain’t nothing new
That track is fire!
“Let’s put success to the side/I’d still be this fly if I worked at Popeye’s/That’s a whole lot of spinach/Whole game full of gimmicks/Make a foot out of yourself for a post on Akademiks.” – Nas
that track with alicia keys is pretty dope!
“Hood Blues” is crap. wtf was that…
i hoped for more songs like “X MOVES” (that was released in april).
Good blues is prob the best song on the album
Hov spitting filler Achoo covid bars. That verse was weak
I love Jay. Love him. I’ve never been more disappointed in him though. So trash on that song. He didn’t even try. I know he and X had issues when he was Def Jam president, but don’t do the dude like this. I’m also disappointed in those who finished putting the album together because they need to cut that verse. Nas did his thing, DMX wasnt great on it but Hov was terrible.
Agreed. That was a terrible Jay Z verse
Huge Nas fan, but I would have liked to see Jay Z & Ja Rule on a DMX song one last time. One last murder inc ride.
oh jesus christ. i don’t want to take anything away from the late dmx but oh jesus christ.
Then don’t post anything at all, should of said it when he was alive
Mperez what are u talking about
Nas is just different man! Just different!!!
In this rap game, no one outshines Nas! Folks every record that Nas is on we all wait for his verses…, Dude has all the smoke!
none of these guys would do a song with X while he was alive.
Stop and look at their catalogs before making a dumb ass comment like that
Jay Z was a part of a rap group with DMX in the 90’s.
jay x and ja made that murdergram track…which was dope…there were talks of forming a group….but never happened for many reasons..
This joint is crazy typical nas jay z dmx joint these cats are like Jordan magic and Kobe Bryant legends you know what your getting the illist bars and lyricism stirs finest fox new album is mad amazing Ill collaborations especially the Griselda joint crazy can’t wait to cop this it’s gonna be a collectors item word up it’s just a shame this brotha died before the album dropped never got to see it rest in power dmx im gonna rep your music and your legacy gonna live forever my g
Nas man! This guy is ageless! Overheard my 13-year-old son arguing with his buddy about how he needs to listen to Nas. I don’t allow my kid to listen to hardcore, unedited lyrics but If he’s sneaking a Nas listen I’ll turn a blind eye.
Listening to Nas verse now…. Gwizzzzzzzz… Dude verses will give you a Heart attack! How can anyone say a rapper is better than Nas? This is so hard man!
Nasty Nas…
This track is straight, specially Nas’ verse. But the album is garbage. Swizz Beatz production was already played out 10 years ago, I just can’t stand his repetitive beats. X obviously was way past it, but we already knew that, plus ain’t too many 50 year old rappers still killin it. Definitely not gonna play this album ever again. God’s Son across the belly though…
The album is garbage and it’s a shame they released it like that…Nas was dope but it was his track from life is good, so not surprised he shined…would’ve liked to hear Jada’s verse tho
I believe Nas drink gasoline when he write his raps then burns the lyrics when it gets on record. His lyricism is totally insane… bruh! This dude is nothing to F with in this rap game!!!
I heard swizz preview it a few years ago but only a snippet. I didn’t know it was recorded in 2012 but you can tell it’s dated because Jay’s voice and DMX’s voice sound different. Wish Jada was left on though