At long last DMX returns. It has been six years since his previous album, which by many is considered to be his weakest. - I think it bangs though. There was lots of talk about his next album being a double release, titled 'Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later', then changed to 'Redemption of the Beast' and now we are given Undisputed.
DMX has always been one of my favourite artists since I got into the genre, so I was hoping that after many years out of the game, where he has faced a plethora of legal issues, that he could return with a bang. While I don't think X was ever hooked up with the greatest producers, it's his originality and never taking a backward step style that has led to him creating many fantastic hip hop songs, be them about struggle, violence or religion.
My first problem with this album is that he has put a few songs on this that leaked years ago. 'What They Don't Know', 'Already' and 'Ya'll Don't Really Know' were on the unofficial 'Walk With Me Now (The Prequel)', and 'I Don't Dance' has been released as well in a slightly different version. I like many of these tracks, but most artists, knowing that songs have been on the internet for years, would have come up with some new songs.
It's easy and common for the ageist hip hop community to say that an artist isn't as hungry or can't rap anymore just because some time has passed, when in reality not a lot has changed. This is the case for DMX, where vocally and lyrically I don't think X has changed much. He has maintained his deep gritty voice, the lyrics are the same sort of thing I mentioned earlier and on songs like 'Frankenstein' he shows that he hasn't lost step with a high tempo. Overall though, while I don't think the beats are bad, many of the beats don't seem as crisp as a hip hop legend like X deserves. Perhaps they don't sound like something from 2012...
Overall, there is enough here to like. There is some classic emotional X with 'I Get Scared' and 'Slippin' Again', the obligatory prayer, and the harder anthems such as 'What They Don't Know' and 'Ya'll Don't Really Know' pretty much hit the spot. I expect this to receive a mixed reception but forgetting a handful of these songs have been heard before it's a solid comeback. 3.5-3/5
Best Tracks: What They Don't Know, I Get Scared, Slippin' Again, I'm Back, Have You Eva, Frankenstein, Ya'll Don't Really Know, I Got Your Back
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