I'm a fan of Erick Sermon and Keith, but I think that this is one of those albums, like other debuts, that are overrated compared to the albums that followed. His next two albums in my opinion are both better. I've tried to get into this, but apart from the title track and 'Get Lifted' there is little I find memorable throughout the album. Not much pops at all. Best Tracks: The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World, Get Lifted

I've never understood why this has such a worse reputation this his debut in some circles. Unlike GRoDT, there is no theme here among the beats, but personally there is more production on this that I find to be original and enjoyable compared to 50's debut. They also hold up much better in 2013 than they do on his debut. I'm not a fan of 50 on the microphone and as a person I've seen enough evidence to believe he is a garbage human being, but the production is its strength and is strong enough to help this earn a 3/5. Best Tracks: I'm Supposed to Die Tonight, Piggy Bank, Ski Mask Way, Gunz Come Out, Hate It or Love It [G-Unit Remix]

Another #1 album for DMX and again an album slightly inconsistent but still featuring some great tunes. As usual the album begins with some good hardcore hip hop, and these are probably stronger than his previous openers with the Grammy nominated 'Who We Be' being a particular favourite, with 'Trina Moe' and 'We Right Here' being dope also. If you've heard his previous albums you should definitely feel a different vibe to the beats which is a welcome change. The second half of the album falls slightly in quality with a more R&B/Pop feel to the middle of the album particularly, but it's all still solid. 'You Could Be Blind' is probably the one really skippable thing here. Best Tracks: Who We Be, Trina Moe, We Right Here, Shorty Was da Bomb, Damien III, A Minute for Your Son.

Perhaps more consistent than some other DMX albums, but at the same time there is less great stuff here. The first three songs are all good bangas without being anything too special. We see DMX going a tad pop for the first time on 'What These Bitches Want', and the bonus track, 'Good Girls, Bad Guys', and we see one of the strongest songs here being a religious track in 'Angel' which I think offers something different than some of the same-same beats we've heard over last couple of albums. Still fairly good though, but lacks that something extra needed to take it to the next level. Best Tracks: One More Road to Cross, Fame, Make a Move, What These Bitches Want, What's My Name?, D-X-L, Angel

DMX waited longer than the average rapper to get a deal, so it's no surprise he had the material to release this only seven months after his debut, but I find this to be his worst album and a huge drop off from his previous album. I'm not sure if it was rushed, but many of the beats are bad, sound cheap and are easily worse than the beats on any of his other albums. Maybe Swizz Beatz, who doesn't have the most consistent production discography, producing most songs here explains it. There are still some great songs worth checking out - 'Bring Your Whole Crew' is classic gangster rap with a dope chorus that will get your adrenaline going, and there is the obvious 'Slippin'', but a good half of these don't have me going back to them. Best Tracks: Bring Your Whole Crew, Slippin', Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood