The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter

DMX | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 12, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B000Q364MO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #72,279 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

1. Prayer III
2. Ruff Ryders' Anthem
3. Get At Me Dog - Feat. Sheek
4. Stop Being Greedy
5. How's It Goin' Down
6. What These Bitches Want - Feat. Sisqo
7. Blackout - Feat. Jay-Z/The Lox
8. What's My Name
9. Where The Hood At
10. Party Up (Up In Here)
11. X Gon' Give It To Ya
12. It's All Good
13. Who We Be
14. Rain
15. Here We Go Again
16. No Love For Me - Feat. Swizz Beatz And Drag-On
17. We Right Here
18. One More Road To Cross
19. Slippin'
20. Prayer (Skit)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good starting point for new DMX listeners, June 21, 2007

By 

ctrx ('bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks...) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter (Audio CD)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE DEFINITION OF X, June 12, 2007

By 

J. Brisbon "J. Twi$T" (CPT. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter [Deluxe Limited Edition CD+DVD] (Audio CD)

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!!!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Def Jam's Cash In On DMX (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars), June 28, 2007

By 

Chandler "Infamous" (Atlanta (College Park), Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Definition of X: Pick of The Litter (Audio 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.