Album Review: "Exodus" by DMX

With the tragic passing of legendary rapper DMX on April 9, 2021, questions aroused about posthumous material. It turns out that he was cooking something up before his death, and we got than in the form of Exodus, his first posthumous album. I will admit I only knew a few DMX songs before his death, so I may be a bit absent-minded. However, did this album live up to its hype, or is it another cash grab from an estate of a deceased musician? Let's find out.

1. That's My Dog (ft. The LOX and Swizz Beatz)

I appreciate the lyricism in this track, but it moves way too slow for me to enjoy it. I only just found that The LOX is a group, and I'ma be honest, I really didn't enjoy the verses from them. DMX's verse is okay, but Swizz Beatz has a lazy hook, which really downgrades the whole track. I'll give this track a 5.5/10.

2. Bath Salts (ft. JAY-Z and Nas)

This track has a much better instrumental than the previous track, and all three of the rappers on here deliver solid verses. I think that JAY-Z had the best verse by a mile, but Nas and DMX also spit some fire. Even though this song doesn't fit into the category of music I normally listen to, I can see myself revisiting it in the future very often. I give this track a solid 8/10.

3. Dogs Out (ft. Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz)

I have really never been a big fan of Lil Wayne, but he had a decent verse on here, and DMX also delivered. I really don't care much for Swizz Beatz, however, because his hooks are devoid of energy. I give this track a 6.5/10 for effort.

4. Money Money Money (ft. Moneybagg Yo)

According to Swizz Beatz, this is the only track on the album that was put together posthumously. I also saw that DMX's hook and verses are re-used from already released songs, which is why they sound out of place on this beat. Moneybagg Yo is the only bright spot on this song, yet again proving he can kill any beat. He brings the same energy he displayed on projects such as 2 Heartless and 43VA HEARTLESS. Still, I'm giving this track a 5/10, because whoever chose the hook and verse for the track is a dumbass.

5. Hold Me Down (ft. Alicia Keys)

I wouldn't imagine Alicia Keys on a beat like this, but she blends in really well, and we get new DMX verses this time. The track is actually good, mostly in part to Alicia Keys' heavenly hook, but DMX definitely delivers two decent verses. I give this track a 7/10.

6. Skyscrapers (ft. Bono)

I have no clue who the heck Bono is, but he really delivered a good verse. Too bad DMX couldn't match that, because his two verses were pretty underwhelming. The way he ended the second verse was also really stupid. DMX sounds like he needs to clear his throat, which I think is funny, but it doesn't make the track any better. I give this track a 4.5/10.

7. Stick Up Skit (ft. Cross, Infared and Icepick)

This skit sounds like either a school shooting or just a shooting in general. Party Up playing in the background at the beginning was a nice touch, and I guess the skit is just supposed to be edgy. If that was the goal, it succeeded. I'll give it a 7/10 for creativity.

8. Hood Blues (featuring Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher and Conway The Machine)

We open this track with Westside Gunn, who has an okay verse, even though it's really not that good. Benny The Butcher and Conway The Machine had much better verses, although Conway had the best out of the two. However, the track closes out with DMX's gruff style, which I am not a fan of at all. Although the beat is nice, I'm giving this track a 6/10 only because it started and ended weak.

9. Take Control (ft. Snoop Dogg)

I'm really enjoying the Marvin Gaye sample on this track, even though it features more than the two lead artists themselves. DMX's first verse was just okay, and Snoop's verse was a bit more decent, even though he's speaking way too low, like he doesn't want his parents to hear. DMX's third verse was pretty forgettable, and the whole track itself was saved by the Marvin Gaye sample, so I'm giving it a low 4/10, because that's not how a track should be. A song shouldn't be solely saved by a sample of a singer who's been dead for over 37 years.

10. Walking In The Rain (ft. Nas, Exodus Simmons and Denaun)

DMX yet again delivers another mid verse, although Denaun swoops in with a decent hook. However, Nas is by far the best part of this track, delivering a good-enough verse for me to give this track a 5/10. I'm really running out of words to describe these tracks, because they feel so empty. Also, that sample of Exodus Simmons, one of DMX's songs, was pretty unnecessary.

11. Exodus Skit

This skit is actually pretty sweet. It's only 20 seconds long, but it features one of DMX's sons, Exodus Simmons, who sounds charming. I like it. It does come off as filler, but it's too cute for me to ignore. I give it a 6.5/10.

12. Letter To My Son [Call Your Father] (ft. Usher and Brian King Joseph)

This is a super touching song and one of the highest points of the album. DMX delivers a heartfelt verse, and Usher and Brian King Joseph sentimentally croon over a sadderning beat. I really like this track, even though I wouldn't bump it like it's Gucci Mane or something. I give this track a strong 8.5/10.

13. Prayer

DMX closes out this album with a Christian prayer. Seeing as I come from a pretty Christian family, I appreciate this prayer, even though DMX's gritty verse is a little turn-off. Still, he has passion, so I give this outro a 7.5/10.

FINAL RATING: 6.2/10

SUMMARY:

Although it has its high points, Exodus is definitely an underwhelming album. DMX's gritty voice may work for others, but for me, it is unenjoyable on most of these tracks. The features on this album end up saving the day most of the time, and even then it's not enough to stop the album from being the definition of "just okay." It's not as bad as the XXXTENTACION posthumous efforts, but it's nowhere near as good as the Mac Miller and MO3 posthumous efforts, leaving this right in the middle of posthumous albums from deceased musicians. I didn't really have any expectations, which might have supplemented my enjoyment of the album, but overall, this was not that great.