DMX
Here I Am
The game done changed, but Dark Man X hasn’t stopped being greedy. With a new label deal and two upcoming projects, the 10-year vet talks about the next phase of his life.
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In honor of the 10-year anniversary of DMX’s classic 1998 debut It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, XXL tracked down the elusive Dark Man X in Arizona to discuss what it was like making the album (that story in the May issue, on stands now). We also got the scoop on his present state of mind. In December 2007, having been released from his Sony contract earlier in the year, X inked a deal with Bodog Music, a division of the Canadian online gaming company Bodog Entertainment. Due later this year, his next projects are two separate albums called Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later. The former disc will be devoted to straight rap, while the latter is X’s first gospel-rap endeavor, which comes as no surprise given his spiritual background. Both feature production by his longtime collaborators Swizz Beatz, PK and Davine Bars. In the last week of January we caught up with the Yonkers MC and chatted about the status of his current project, the shape rap is in, and some guy named Obama.
There’s talk of a new album for you. When’s that coming out, like what’s up with that? Can you tell me what stage you’re at as far as recording?
Well, I’m bout to start working on the gospel album.
Yeah, the gospel album. It’s like a double album right?
It’s two different albums. Two albums, separate albums. I got a couple more tracks to do on it and that’s done. It’s the first time anybody did anything like this—two separate albums on the same day.
What made you want to release a gospel album now?
I’ve done gospel songs on every album. I figured I’d just dedicate a whole album to it.
Right. Can you tell me signing to Bodog, how that came about?
I don’t even really remember how it came about. Some real shit, I don’t remember who did what about what. I remember when I met ‘em it was in Miami.
You met who?
I met, you know, the people from Bodog in Miami and we had dinner and it was just a good vibe, good energy.
When was that? Do you remember?
No.
But you were still signed to Sony at the time?
Nah, I had already gotten a release.
What happened with the situation at Sony? You weren’t happy there, right?
Nah, they did my whole shit—they just fucked my whole project up.
As far as marketing and stuff?
Every way. Every possible way.
So as far as this album, what should people expect from this album? What’s your mind state? What kind of songs are you doing?
Banging joints, just like the last album. Just banging joints. I’ll have a couple of ’em on my MySpace page in a couple days.
Okay, you’re on MySpace now?
I been there.
How do you feel about the digital—like, everything going through the Internet as far as…
I don’t even think about it. I don’t even think about it.
The music business is pretty much going in that direction.
I don’t know. That’s just… that’s probably not… People want the actual CDs not no shit that’s disposable.
It’s like the ringtone rappers are the guys that are selling right now.
Good for them, good for them. I’m glad they eating right now.
You don’t feel a certain way about that.
Nah, I don’t even think about it, for real. I mean, it’s a waste of energy to think about what somebody else is doing and how they doing it. I’ma just do what I do. All that shit is a headache.
What do you think about where the rap game is right now? Do you think it’s in a good space? ’Cause rap sales are down.
We’re coming around to a good space. Quietly, a good position.
Sales are down, though.
It goes in cycles.
Right, but do you think there’s a reason that rap isn’t selling like it was in your day?
Yeah ’cause niggas ain’t saying nothing. People ain’t saying nothing. Ain’t but so many people… Some people buy records just to dance to ’em. Some people buy records to listen to the radio. And there’s people that buy records ’cause they listen to every song. They not feeding the people properly.
You mean the artists?
Yeah, the artists. It’s the same ole bullshit. That’s how it get. There has to be some fuckin’ substance.
Do you think it’s a good thing that Southern music is pretty much dominating the game? There’s no cats from New York, you know. It seems like there hasn’t been in awhile. What do you think about that?
What do I think about Southern music?
Yeah.
I really don’t think about it.
You don’t think about it?
I really don’t care for it. To focus on other shit is a fuckin’ headache.
Right. So what artists are you listening to right now?
Same ones I been listening to—Nas and Scarface.
Nas and Scarface?
Yep, Nas and Scarface.
Have you recorded any songs for the new album?
Yeah, half the album is pretty much done, the gospel album.
Can you tell me about some of the songs, a couple of the songs that you did?
Like, what do you wanna know?
What was the first song…
The single is a joint called “All Ready.”
What were you doing in between—from the last album to this one, that whole time? What have you been up to?
Life. I been up to that. It’s been crazy. Fuckin’ police keep on fuckin’ raiding my house and shit for nothing. They took all my fuckin’ guns. All they did is take is take my guns. All they fuckin’ do is fuck my house up and take my guns. That’s all they did. Straight robbed me—that’s what they did.
Are you happy with how your last two albums did as far as sales?
Oh yeah, I’m happy. I’m happy with whatever they do.
Would you ever think about becoming the president of a label, like running your own label?
Yeah, probably.
There was a video on the Internet recently, I don’t know if you saw it, like with you in the studio.
Nah, didn’t see it.
It was like you in the studio and I guess some other producer and you were recording some songs and you were talking about some random stuff. Do you remember that?
Yeah, I think so.
People were really concerned about you or whatever.
That was a while ago. I didn’t see it.
Do you remember when you were in the studio?
Vaguely. I’d just flown in or something. I know I was tired as a muthafucka.
Tired from recording?
I just flew in. I just flew in.
Do you worry about people getting the wrong perception of you?
No, I really don’t. People could say what they want. I don’t really care. I don’t give a fuck.
Clearly, yeah.
Anything that’s not positive, I don’t have the energy to focus on it. Anything that’s not going in the right direction I don’t have the time or the energy. If somebody step to my face, I’ma take care of ’em, that’s something different. What people think, I don’t give a fuck about none of that shit ’cause they ain’t putting money in my pocket. They ain’t taking no money out of my pocket. They all suck dick when they see me so it really doesn’t matter.
Are you following the presidential race?
Not at all.
You’re not? You know there’s a Black guy running, Barack Obama and then there’s Hillary Clinton.
His name is Barack?!
Barack Obama, yeah.
Barack?!
Barack.
What the fuck is a Barack?! Barack Obama. Where he from, Africa?
Yeah, his dad is from Kenya.
Barack Obama?
Yeah.
What the fuck?! That ain’t no fuckin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the fuck outta here.
You’re telling me you haven’t heard about him before.
I ain’t really paying much attention.
I mean, it’s pretty big if a Black…
Wow, Barack! The nigga’s name is Barack. Barack? Nigga named Barack Obama. What the fuck, man?! Is he serious? That ain’t his fuckin’ name. Ima tell this nigga when I see him, “Stop that bullshit. Stop that bullshit” [laughs] “That ain’t your fuckin’ name.” Your momma ain’t name you no damn Barack.
So you’re not following the race. You can’t vote right?
Nope.
Is that why you’re not following it?
No, because it’s just—it doesn’t matter. They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. It doesn’t really make a difference. These are the last years.
But it would be pretty big if we had a first Black president. That would be huge.
I mean, I guess…. What, they gon’ give a dog a bone? There you go. Ooh, we have a Black president now. They should’ve done that shit a long time ago, we wouldn’t be in the fuckin’ position we in now. With world war coming up right now. They done fucked this shit up then give it to the Black people, “Here you take it. Take my mess.”
Right, exactly.
It’s all a fuckin’ setup. It’s all a setup. All fuckin’ bullshit. All bullshit. I don’t give a fuck about none of that.
We could have a female president also, Hillary Clinton.
I mean, either way it doesn’t matter. I don’t care. No one person is directly affected by which president, you know, so what does it matter.
Yeah, but the country is.
I guess. The president is a puppet anyway. The president don’t make no damn decisions.
The president…they don’t have that much authority basically?
Nah, never.
But Bush pretty much…
You think Bush is making fuckin’ decisions?
He did, yeah, he fucked up the country.
He act like he making decisions. He could barely speak! He could barely fuckin’ speak!
Can’t be serious. He ain’t making no damn decisions.
Well Barack has a good chance of winning so that might be something.
Good for him, good for him.
How’s your family and your kids?
They’re good. My son is rapping now.
Did he see you? I’m sure he was inspired by you.
Yeah, yeah. all that. Took him to shows and everything.
What does your wife Tashera think about him rapping?
She likes it. She’s the one who told me. She told me.
Did you talk to him? What do you tell him about the industry? Do you give him advice about the industry?
He knows it, he knows all that shit. Ah, man. I give him some advice.
What kind of advice do you give him? Like, watch out for, you know…
Advice about life, advice about girls, whatever a father would tell his son. Everything. Advice about everything. Everything. Advice about everything.
Do you think you’ve been a good father up ’til now?
[Pauses] I don’t know. I’ve done the best that I could.
I guess you never know, right?
They’re all well mannered. I hope I instilled something positive in ’em.
Would you ever do a second—like, your reality show again? ’Cause the first one did pretty well.
Yeah, I will.
After that Snoop had a show and Irv Gotti so it kind of kicked off the reality shows after you did it. Right?
Yeah I guess. Good for them. Everybody’s doing it big.
What do you think about Lil Wayne? People think he’s the hottest rapper.
He is nowhere near the hottest nothing right now. You can’t be serious.
Why do you say that? He’s on like every song.
He has to do that.
Is there anybody that you’re excited about? Are there any new rappers that you’re excited about?
No. No.
What was the last time you got excited about a new rapper? When was the last time that you really liked somebody that was coming out?
I don’t recall being excited about a new rapper ever.
Is it that bad?
No it’s not that bad. I just don’t, I’m real picky about what I fuck with.
Right, you don’t really listen to other people?
Nah, not really.
All right, well is there anything else that I missed? Anything that you’re working on?
Working on life.
Working on life.
Yeah, working on life.
Are you happy right now?
I don’t wanna be happy.
Why not?
’Cause when you happy you get locked in sleep. You get sleepy happy. I always wanna be on point. I always wanna be aware.
Right, ’cause when you’re happy you think you’re safe and you don’t…
Yeah, you get sleepy happy.
LMAO@ the obama’s comments.LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
As my man Clay Davis would say, Shiiiiiiiieeeettt! X is that real talk speakin muthafucka. Except for that crack shit. Been rolling with him since Darkman X. Keep talkin shit X and fucking us up with them gully street bangers. Straight hoodies and timbs. All day.
sharin in the groove
he sounds like a really dumb person. i wasted my time reading this interview he didn’t say anything interesting or useful. He must live under a rock to never of heard of Barak Obama. But they have things about Barak and the presidential race on myspace just as banners on the side all the time how can someone be so outdated with there intelligents if they go online.
Jack asks:” how can someone be so outdated with there intelligents if they go online.” The same way yo’ grown ass can’t spell “their” and “intelligence.” Like Katt Williams says “I hate smart dumb niggas!” X is that nigga, fuck if he smoked crack. We all make mistakes, judgemental muthafukkas! Sweep around your own front door before you try to sweep around mine.
Dang Kareem! You let Jack have it with both barrels but rightfully so! Remind me to never piss you off!
Your fucking kidding me Kareem. Your getting all pissed at Jack, he didn’t even mention dumbass DMX doing crack and there is a big difference between spelling two words wrong and not knowing about a presidential candidate. Next time try to calm down before embarrassing yourself by making another ridiculous post like that.
Did I spell anything wrong?
Actually its you’re, not your…
The whole article to me was amusing at best, but i’ve never really been a HUGE DMX fan. It’s just really unfortunate that he’s so out of touch. He doesn’t have to care about the election- politics ect, but to be so damn smug about his ignorance is what blows my mind.
I think DMX needs to travel out of the country and get a bit more exposure (i’m sure of which he could afford if he wanted)shit if its that bad- bust a chappelle move and go to africa- he might learn a thing or two. i mean the fact that he couldn’t even believe that there could be a black man named Barack, let alone be running for president- damn damn damn…what is this 1865?
And that’s why I fucks with X.
Honesty over propaganda anyday
Budden and Nas too
Only naive young fucks wouldn’t understand what hes talking about, the wiser you get the tougher life is, he’s far from dumb, he knows who Obama is retards, he was trying to make a point, that it doesn’t mean fuck all no matter who wins the election. I’ve bin saying the presidents a puppet on a string for years, finally someone said it, it doesn’t even matter who wins it’s just a matter of timing whether people like them or not, presidents just push the button they make no decisions on their own or have any origional ideas. I have a feeling X is right, the black mans going to take the heat for fucking up the US/world but it’s really a big chain reaction of recent years of fuckery by all the politicians and presidents put together.
Yeah, little wang sucks extra large elaphant testicles as well.
I’m sorry, do u know him? Like are yall cool and u call him Earl or something? Cause u strait up analized the man like he told u he knew Obama…he clearly says he does not kno obama. Stop trying to make sense out of nonsense and making dumb people seem deep. Dude is a cracked out, washed up ignorant man. Point blank period.
Wow… he “strait up analized the man”…
maybe you guys should get a room
Yea i totally agree wit u dirtdoggy,I been fuckin wit X since i was 11 yearz old n not on 1 of his albumz haz he said some retarded shit,they all were clazzicz,he hasnt lost it that much, and he has a very good point in everything that he mentioned,shit he just at da point in life where he noticed dat shit really doesnt matter,da gov. gon do WHATEVA da fuck dey want,and itz alwayz been like dat,n itz goin to end jus lyke dat word,man i fuckz wit X till his death true story….
and u kidz are naive,try readin tha article again,but only diz time take more time to analyze it…
X livez
ABo0gi3
Fo sho. Fuck em. X gets down and tells the truth. Always true story with X. On fire. Keep rockin X. Fuck em if they don’t understand.
LMAO @ “What the fuck?! That ain’t no fuckin’ name, yo. That ain’t that nigga’s name. You can’t be serious. Barack Obama. Get the fuck outta here”
That nigga wild…lmfao
everybody has already taken the words out of my mouth except that NELLY had already dropped 2 different cd’s on the same day (sweat; suit) with “getcha eagle on”, and the song “my place ft Jahiem”.
still rotf about his “OBAMA” comments, cause i kid u not, i was sayin the exact same shit damn near word for word when i first found out about the nigga.
Dade County Stand Up!!! We in Here!!!
Barack means blessed. It’s in the bible. If you don’t think the President does not make major decisions and the presidential election does not matter…just kill yo self…