Customer Reviews

The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter [Vinyl]

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like a lot of people my age, DMX is an artist I've grown up listening to, and while he's never been my favorite rapper, I've always thoroughly enjoyed his music, be it pump-up jams, depressed narratives, or collabos with the Ruff Ryders. "The Definition of X: Pick of the Litter" is a poorly labeled greatest hits compilation of his five Def Jam albums. DMX left Def Jam in 2005, so his most recent album, 2006's Year of the Dog...Again is not represented on this disc. The bulk of the album's tracklist is taken from his first two albums, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, both released in 1998. These albums are widely considered classic material and contain a lot of his darker, angrier work. There are six songs from 1999's And Then There Was X, his most commercially successful album, containing most of his most popular hits. 2001's The Great Depression and 2003's Grand Champ both contribute two tracks, which is suitable because while both solid albums, they contained less great material than his first three. Like with any greatest hits compilation, everyone's always going to have a little beef with the tracklist, personally I would have liked to see some tracks from the Ruff Ryders albums and some more soundtrack cuts, and a few notable hits are missing such as "I Miss You" and "Get It on the Floor." If you've had access to a radio or cable TV over the last eight years, chances are you know most, if not all, of these songs. But overall, this is a very potent collection of some great music.

DMX is a passionate and totally engaging rapper, and he can range from sullen and depressed to inspired and pumping. His best known work would be his club hits such as "Party Up (Up in Here)" and "Ruff Ryders Anthem." These upbeat bangers, of which there are many on this collection, are all wonderfully produced and extremely entertaining. And while there's less in the tracklist, you also get a taste of his sullen and spiritual side with songs like "The Rain" and the "Prayer" interludes. The tracklist is pretty well rounded and well selected.

If any DMX fans are confused by this recent release, don't be fooled by the misleading title and art, because this is a greatest hits collection. Those fans who own his Def Jam albums need not purchase this, because they will have all those songs already. But if you're just getting into DMX or never got around to buying one of his albums, this would certainly be a worthwhile purchase. I know I've spent countless hours listening to the songs on this tracklist over the years, and a few others probably will now too thanks to this collection.

I MEAN THE NAME SPEAKS FOR ITSELF... ITS DMX AT HIS BEST WITH NUMBER 1 HITS FROM ALL HIS ALBUMS... IF U R A BIG DMX FAN LIKE I KNOW I AM.. THIS CD IS A MUST.. IY HAS THE SONG RUFF RYDERS ANTHEM TO WHERE THE HOOD...GREAT CD!!!!

It's no suprise that Def Jam would drop a greatest hits album for DMX since he left the record label and dropped Year of the Dog...Again on Columbia back in late '06. DMX has been in the rap game since the early 90's finally getting noticed in '98 with the song "Ruff Ryders Anthem". Collaborating with artists like Jay-Z, Ja Rule (those were the good ol' days of Def Jam) he has dropped rememerable verses. He has dropped some dope albums like It's Dark and Hell Is Hot & Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood back in '98.

The Definiton of X: Pick Up The Litter is a good overview of DMX between 1998-2003. What I like about these albums is that most of the hit singles are on here (isn't that what a greatest hits is all about). Classic songs like "Get At Me Dog", "Party Up (Up In Here)", "Blackout", and "Slippin'" are on here, and are great to hear. I also enjoy "Who We Be" from The Great Depression album as wel, as each song brings back memories of bumping most of these songs throughout middle and high school.

It's no suprise that, like everybody else, has their own beef with what songs should and should not be on here. I personally believe some of the remixes are on here like "Ruff Ryders Anthem (remix)" and "Get At Me Dog (remix)", not to mention a few B-sides as well.

Overall, this is a great place to start listening to DMX, especially if you missed him in his earlier years. If you're like me, and own every album, picking this up would be pointless (a friend let me borrow this one). What I fear is that later on down the road, this will be the only entry point to DMX, as all of his albums on Def Jam will be out of print. But I hope that doesn't happen anytime soon. But even fans of X will be happy with this album. Peace.

This particular [CD] [DMX] "The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter [Deluxe Limited Edition] worked out good for me because just when I thought I had all [DMX] [Cd's] I happen to find this one which I know this [CD] is going to be a collectors editions. For the price you pay now your getting a great deal. I would happily recommend this [CD] to all you Hip-Hop lovers.

Thanks'

Benjamin Mejia.

All of DMX's Best songs are here. With an Extra DVD of 8 music videos (unfortunately censored).

I have been a true DMX fan, since 1997. In his rhymes you can hear his hurt deep within. My personal favorite song is slippin in my darkness hours of life, that song saved me emotionally. I also love his cockiness, in the song What the B-----'s want, and F--- all day. I enjoy all the songs selected on this disc.

His songs are not negative, they are about him releasing his rage, in his journey in life. If people are not familar with the streets, then they would think his music is offensive, or if those who never had struggle, and don't understand street lifestyle, would be threatened by the content in his music.

NO matter what, the media says about you, I appreciate your artistic style, and rhyme skills. If you are fan of DMX then get this CD.

This is a great collection of DMX's past songs....they all hit hard and all have the same aggresiveness will all come to love about Dark Man X. However while there are some missing songs this is still a great collection, some people are not satisfied because some of there personal favorites aren't on here, but in fact these songs were pciked by DMX himself and just cause you may like a song does not meen it will be on here. Just do yourself and buy this if you don't own any DMX albums, if u do own some, just skip this cuz its the same ol stuff.

These songs were not picked by dmx, this collection was put together in 07, way after x had parted ways with def jam. I don't think that DMX would have waisted valuable disc room for two prayer songs when they could have included actual music material. why a greatest hits album would ever include skits is beyond me. that is the main beef i have with this collection, aslo the fact that the jacket does not include which album each song came off of like most ever greatest hits albums. The main song I thought would have added to the album is the track "Damien"from his first LP.

The sole reason why I didn't purchase this album is because "Get It On The Floor" was not included. I was at Best Buy with Pick of the Litter in my hand when I slowly came to this awful realization as I scanned the track list on the back--I reluctantly put it back on the shelf. DMX is one of the best-selling rappers of all time, born with a golden, milllion-dollar voice other artists would kill for. Pick of the Litter should've been one of the best albums in the history of hip hop; instead, it's like purchasing Jay-Z's greatest hits without "99 Problems," Tupac's without "California Love," or Nas's without "Made You Look."

Don't buy anything by this creep, he has been busted for abusing animals twice. Def Jam needs to stop glorifying animal cruelty on his album covers.