Ruff Ryders' Anthem

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" is a song by American hip hop recording artist DMX, released as the fourth single from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998). It ranks at #79 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. In the U.S. it peaked at #93 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1]

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
Single by DMX
from the album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
ReleasedMay 5, 1998 (1998-05-05)
Recorded1997
GenreHardcore hip hop
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)Earl Simmons
Producer(s)Swizz Beatz
DMX singles chronology
"Money, Power & Respect"
(1998)		 "Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
(1998)		 "How's It Goin' Down"
(1998)

Background

Ruff Ryders Anthem, produced by a young Swizz Beatz, was initially rejected by X, who claimed the beat wasn’t raw enough.“I made the ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem’ beat in Atlanta. It was me just bugging out, having my New York influence and having my Atlanta influence. That track was the perfect blend which was awkward and different at the time because nobody had ever heard anything like that. DMX didn’t want to do it. He was like, ‘Man, that sounds like some rock ‘n’ roll track, I need some hip-hop shit. I’m not doing that. It’s not hood enough.” The background vocals and beat follow the rhythm of a military cadence. This coincides with the hook’s theme of being a cohesive unit. Swizz recalls how the What! ad-libs came about stating “The ‘What!’ ad-lib and all of that came about in the middle of us hyping him up. We left it in the track to add energy. Collectively, we came up with that vibe”.

Despite Swizz’s best efforts, it wasn’t until Darrin and Joaquin Dean convinced DMX to give the track a chance that he did so.

Music video

The official music video features scenes where DMX and his crew are bodybuilding, while there are other scenes with motorbikes. The video features cameo appearances by the rap group Onyx, The LOX, Eve and Swizz Beatz. It has over 100 million views on YouTube as of January 2019.

Charts
Charts (1998) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[2] 93
U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[3] 33
"Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)"
Single by DJ Clue? featuring DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, Drag-On and Eve
from the album The Professional
Released1999
FormatRadio airplay, 12" vinyl
Recorded1998
GenreGangsta Rap, East Coast Hip Hop
Length3:52
LabelRoc-a-Fella, Def Jam
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Swizz Beatz, DJ Clue?, Ken "Duro" Ifill
DJ Clue? singles chronology
"I Like Control"
(1999)		 "Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)"
(1999)		 "Back 2 Life 2001"
(2000)

DJ Clue? Remix

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)" features DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, Drag-On, & Eve; and was released in 1999 as the third and final single from Clue's solo debut album, The Professional (1998).[4] The remix charted on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and was later on featured in Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories in the station "The Liberty Jam".

Charts
Charts (1999) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks[4] 47

References
  1. VH1's Greatest Songs of Hip Hop
  2. "DMX – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  3. "DMX – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  4. "The Professional - DJ Clue? > Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
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