We've embargoed this post longer than the US has done Cuba. But from the initial unjustified hate, we have come to love this post. The much delayed DMX write-up from Adam "Grilled Cheese" Johnson finally sees sunshine. Thanks brother.
Pop quiz music lovers: Who is the only artist in history to have each of their first 5 albums debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts?
The Beatles? Nope.
The Rolling Stones? Nahhh.
Michael Jackson? Yea right.
Britney Spears? Getting closer.
Give up? That’s right folks—DMX. In fact, had“Now That’s What I Call Music! 22” not sold 1,000 more copies than his 6th effort, DMX would be the only artist in history to have every studio album in his catalog debut at #1. Still, 5 out of 6 ain’t bad.
Now I know what you’re thinking—“DMX??? Isn’t he that guy who’s always barking and growling? Hasn’t he made like 100 terrible action movies with Steven Seagal? Wasn’t he arrested for impersonating a federal agent while hijacking someone’s car from JFK airport while in possession of cocaine?”
Yes, yes, and yes. All of those things are true. Well, I don’t think he’s quite made 100 terrible action movies, and they weren’t all with Steven Seagal, but they WERE all terrible. Except for Belly, which was dope. Go rent it. You’ll see.
The point is, you probably have a very pigeon-holed view of DMX as a crazy, crazy fool who inexplicably barks and growls like a man suffering from history’s worst case of Tourette’s syndrome. And this view is somewhat deserved—I can only defend the man so much. But he IS a talented rapper, believe it or not. So before you write him off as that guy who starred in this movie, listen to the following jamandahalf that he wrote after the death of his beloved grandma.
I have read DMX’s autobiography (highly recommended), in which he details a tumultuous childhood with an irresponsible, abusive mother and a nonexistent father. The one place he found any sense of family was at the house of his grandmother, who was kind enough to raise him even though her son (DMX’s father) wasn’t interested. If this song doesn’t tug at your heartstrings, you either have no heart, or you hate grandmas. It’s that simple. So sit back and enjoy, unless you are a grandma-hater. In which case, cut it out. 1
No comments:
Post a Comment