HipHopDX has decided not to give Redemption of The Beast an actual score due to DMX and his management team’s opposition to its release. Details on the legal issues between Seven Arts Entertainment and X are forthcoming. With that in mind, we’ve decided to give those still interested in purchasing the album currently available digitally from various outlets an honest critique of the product itself as released by the media company.
“It’s all good, no stops, no breaks, one drop, one take,” barks DMX on Redemption of The Beast intro “Spit That Shit.” Setting the tone for a project composed of unreleased material, one should know exactly what to expect here. Something that’s so raw, there’s a lack of polish. With that in mind, it makes perfect sense why the Yonkers emcee wanted to distance himself from the project according to recent news. Therefore, the blame for this abomination isn’t solely X’s. Accountability lies with controversial media company Seven Arts Entertainment. For those uninformed, the outlet’s record label arm released the universally panned Undisputed as part of a deal involving master recording acquisitions from both X and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s catalogue. That album was an average yet noble attempt at a failed comeback when let loose upon the world nearly three years ago. Redemption of The Beast gives the impression of either purposely scrapped material from Undisputed or unfinished sessions that’ll never see its true potential. Regardless, the album overwhelmingly feels like a quick cash-in that neither X, his management team nor frequent Ruff Ryder collaborator Swizz Beatz want to associate themselves with.
Who could blame them?
Redemption of The Beast is spoiled past its expiration date. Between the usual woofs, growls and drug induced babel, Earl Simmons treads the same exact water he’s known for since It’s Dark and Hell is Hot. There isn’t a better example than “Built Like A Bitch” and “Solid” featuring Ram-Page. Those visceral bars that once felt vicious, lose their bite too often, unfortunately. To be specific, some come off unintentionally comical. Things get progressively worse whenever X tries his hand at singing hooks. For some reason, he fails to understand that viral renditions of “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” or Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” don’t necessarily grant permission for cringeworthy vocals. No matter how aspirational “Get Up and Try Again,” “Shout It” and “I’m Gonna Win” sounds, it feels like an uncomfortable sonic equivalent to shower karaoke. Redemption of The Beast lends itself to incredibly outdated production running from early 2000 era boom-bap to horrid rock inspired “We Gonna Make It” and “It’s A Problem.” Adding to those soggy beats are imbalances between vocals and instrumentals which assumingly could make bad mixing the culprit. Ironically, original Undisputed track “Love That Bitch” is shows up again through a “remastered” version.
Swizz Beatz’s only production makes one thankful for an era of 99cent downloads as “56 Bars” is the perfect appetizer for whatever those two current have cooking. That leads into Redemption of The Beast’s second best moment “Where You Been” featuring Freeway. Despite those horribly sung vocals, it’s entertaining enough to be the closest X will probably get to “Party Up” part deux; plus, samples of Herman Kelly & Life’s “Dance to the Drummer’s Beat” never gets old.
There’s cliched quote proclaiming things getting worse before turning around for the better. Redemption of The Beast is an unfortunate addition to DMX’s legacy. The project is a compilation that really shouldn’t have seen the light of day. Sadly, it has anyway. Only the unshaken DMX fan will gain enjoyment in it. Everyone else is better off waiting for the “real” project he has coming with Swizzy.
ALBUM SOUNDS DOPE 2 ME, BUT WHAT DO I KNOW
I won’t buy if D don’t endorse but I will download it, but it won’t be called Redemption of the Beast, gonna whip up a X Marks the Spot cover
DMX is my favorite Artist he still has it
This album is classic DMX! Y’all are expecting X to mature, but X is a DOG for life! This feels like the old albums. Undisputed is better than what most say, not as good as this new album, but fucking great. We just need some anthem with better production. X is back, don’t twist it!
RAMPAGE is back screaming Flipmode?!!! WHAT?!!
I haven’t listened to the album yet, just started playing the first song! It’s great. Plus I know some of the songs from the album. 5/5
this is the finest ill. What you talking about DX! You all a bunch of untalented drug addicted Journalist’.
like it after the first listen. didnt expect anything good, nice surprise
Wooohooo was waiting forever for this album X you the shit man ruff ryders
u so hot still boy, don stop….
A classic X.for real. This album has that real talk. What rap been missing for a long time. Hip-
hop has been so watered down. X thinks for not cheating us on this.
Redemption
dope dx hatin on him tho
Was expecting some bullshit after reading the review but I’m feeling this shit especially amongst todays radio bs. I’m gonna download the torrent tho. definitely not aiding these fuckers releasing material with out mah G darkman X’s approval. when his official joint drops I will buy that one tho
I think this album songs are pretty good. I like it!!I know DX hates X as they even didn’t rate previous album Undisputed.
I can’t lie..bruh…I know X says this shit is fake but these tracks are super dope.
X is back. Bout time. Love this shit.
Time to teach
Fake or not
ILL
Yeah right, I don’t know where the fucking hate comes from. “Built Like A Bitch”, “I’m Back” and “How’s It Goin’ Down” are fucking awesome. The rest is quite average but still some new DMX tracks…
how’s it going down reminds me of a tupac beat. it’s is my favorite track. real player and fun kind of song
Terrible album, not worth the money.
look at ppl calling this shit a classic LMAO this album is dmx worst album 2 date and thats bc he didnt have any input probably .sad album 2 x legacy
He’s sound has not evolved at all he’s done.. If this real one with Swizz beats comes out and falls flat like this one then. Its forsure time to hang it up. Its not 1998 anymore X its time to evolve with the times.
I like the beat to How’S IT GOIN DOWN But the hook and the flow and the rhymes are weak . THIS ALBUM IS STRAIGHT GARBAGE AND TRASH . HORRIBLE , TERRIBLE , WACK AS FUCK . I SEE WHY IT DIDN’T GET A RATING . IT GETS A 0 OUTTA 5
That’s what I rate your niece after we let her go back to school.
Unauthorized album, aka throwaway tracks.
Dope ….
I remember X saying all he wants is a five year run, and if he don’t make it let him die near a gun. He had his five year run 98-03. If he needs the money so be it…Been a fan since grade school, don’t need to hear this, no longer interested in an album of the same old X. If you ain’t trying something new, I’m not listening.
X throwaway tracks harder than half the shit out right now hahaha
This is not one your good ones at all. I didn’t hear DMX. I heard someone trying to fit in with new age rappers. I love the ole skoolhe used to have bring that back…
i love your music
X sounds good. I think it is much betta than other albums coming out these days
This album is much betta than albums coming out these days.
this is nice. blasting it out loud none of that soft shit
It’s an okay album. Wouldn’t surprise me if this actually sells quite a few more copies than expected because of the extra media coverage.
56 bars is hard tho
Those are old bars from like 96 or 97 tho
Where you been a must on radio play
Album was released without DMX’s permission. A few of the songs were on his last album “Undisputed”. Other then that nice work X. Like many other said before me better then anything out now!
kids aint gonna like this. Its too REAL!!!
X is still the Champ. IDGAF what Anyone says.
-V3ndetta
this straight doo doo.. fuck this old ass crackhead and his dr. phil haircut
garbage
this album is better than all the crap that is out there now
I agree with you pope,This Is Better Than Some Other Music Out There, Example:Rich Gang Shit…That They Just Mummble Rap..lol. X Just Take Your Time On The Beats And Making A Good Album.. That’s All. 56Bars Was Tight.
Dmx rapp on the album is better than all that crap out there. I know X can come with a better album than this Like his 5 albums befor this one. Is nice to see X and eminem, swizz beatz,Ja z,Iggy Azalea, nicki minaj, alice keys, lil wayne, on a Dmx album……….I hope to see they on Dmx new album but they most work togheter in the studio.
these tracks are his scraps – which he never intended to be released, and a lot of them are still better than what other rappers are releasing on their albums
checkd this and this is crap…
i expected total bs. now this is not that bad
I dont think so either.
‘which assumingly could make bad mixing the culprit’
Please see me after class
its ok
This is horrendous. I just listened to We Gonna Make It and I threw up in my mouth
theres about 4-5 songs that are album worthy but most of these will not make final cut for his new real official release
What happen to DMX…ThisCD is wack ass hell period. Everybody want to be rock stars
Some raw tracks on this one, lost touch a bit but hey, drgs is nicer?
This Album is still fresh; listen to it everyday.
deep… x is back
Album isn’t as bad as the reviewer says, it’s actually fairly decent and better than X’s other albums from the past ten years or more. Production isn’t that outdated either, definitely not sounding like late 90’s or early 2000’s as the reviewer alluded to. I’d take that style anyway compared to today’s bounce, trap and autotune BS.