DMX’s First Posthumous Single, ‘Hood Blues,’ Feat. Griselda is Out

DMX’s posthumous album, ‘Exodus,’ comes out at midnight.

While our hearts remain heavy from DMX’s untimely passing, our spirits lift upon the release of his new lead single.

This may be a posthumous release, X finished it up right before his passing.  His first solo LP since 2012, the Ruff Ryder detailed that this project has the most features he’s ever had, and he wasn’t kidding.  Every single track on the upcoming album has features, and they’re not just anybody.  Among others, there’s Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, The Lox, Lil Wayne, Bono, Nas has two, one of which is with Jay-Z, with Swizz Beats on the boards for all of it.  However, the lead single, ‘Hood Blues,’ featuring the Griselda boys had particularly high anticipation.  Coming out earlier this week, it completely surpassed the generous expectations.

“X the illest, the realest”

Without DMX and the Ruff Ryders, there simply is no Griselda.  Already dominating yet another year in Hip-Hop, Griselda’s appearance on this album is a major deal, and boy did they treat it that way.  The beat is a great atmosphere, a jazzy 70’s type instrumental.  Westside Gunn kicks off the song doing his thing, with notably improved lyricism and his trademark adlibs in the background.  Benny the Butcher, a current leader in the game, continues his streak with a nice dose of quotable lyrics.  While Benny is the lyrical heavyweight, Conway gets the last verse of the three.  Conway, who recently performed on The Tonight Show, has been the hottest of the three lately and his verse proves it; his lyrics, sharp and his flow, cunning.

However, it’s X that we’re here for and he comes seriously correct with the KO at the end.  It’s hard to predict how a 50-year rapper is going to sound but the Dark Man proves that he still had it in him until the very end.  His themes are the same as usual, but feel fresh and refined.  Assuming the same hunger is found throughout the other tracks, it looks like DMX will have yet another classic in his legendary discography.  We just wish he was still here to see how proud it’s gonna make all of us.  RIP DMX forever.

Written by Jason Heilbronner