Over the last several years, DMX, the performer of "Party Up (Up in Here) and "X Gon’ Give It To Ya," has had his fair share of issues. Nonetheless, there have been rumors that he is going to make a comeback, and the supporters are keen to see him perform for a concert tour not too distant.
Rising in popularity in the late 1990s, DMX was a rapper whose aggressive lyrics and deep, harsh voice defined him. 1998 saw his debut album on a big record company, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which was both successful and well-praised. Supported by songs like "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "Get At Me Dog," It's dark over 5 million copies in sales and debuted DMX as the new and significant hip hop figure.
In the next years, he promptly put out several albums, most of which peaked on the charts: Grand Champ in 2003, And Then There Was X in 2000, and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood in 1999. Apart from that, hip hop has taken over pop charts in the early 2000s thanks in great part to rappers like Jay-Z, Eminem, and DMX. Not just popular among rap aficionados, songs like "Party Up (Up in Here) were launched and turned into radio and club banners.
During this peak period, he also toured and was noted for being a highly energetic performer on stage during his concerts. He had no qualms about being brutal with his actions – he mauled fans, jumped into crowds, destroyed instruments, and made sure that security guards were constantly busy trying to prevent the shows from degenerating into chaos. His passionate and unrefined stage shows were ideal for his rough music and ensured that his audiences wanted to see him live.
However, DMX’s career deteriorated in the following years due to his problems related to drugs and alcohol, as well as contacts with the police. His record sales reduced, and he was arrested several times and jailed which affected his music career. Sadly, his personal life suffered as well with allegations of habitual cheating and poor money management. However, towards the beginning of the year 2010, his stardom had dwindled, and his fans were left to wonder if he would ever attain the stardom of before again. The possibility of a big world tour appeared to be slowly slipping away onto the horizon.
But from the year 2019, there is hope to slowly and gradually start to rise again. Following his time in rehab, the rapper returned to touring having embarked on a 20th-anniversary performance of his debut album titled ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’. The tour was mostly played in small more personal venues – but the rapper delivered glimpses of the old fire. Pundits complimented his conditioning and pointed out that his over-the-top delivery was still present albeit not for the full performance.
DMX also got back into the recording booth in the past couple of years and began working on a new album of original material, his first since 2015’s Redemption of the Beast. Freestyle guest appearances from newcomers such as Griselda and Pop Smoke ensured that the listener understood he was creating music that was in tune with current rap trends. In the later part of the year, he inked a new record deal with Def Jam - the very label that helped him achieve mainstream success back in the late 90s.
Finally, in December, he released a new song, “X Moves” which features Westside Gunn. Although not a complete rebirth of DMX’s commercial success, the single garnered favorable remarks for DMX and created anticipation for the upcoming new album. Raw footage from the studio gives the audience a feel of the rapper’s transformation as he goes back to his aggressive performance style while rapping for the camera and his producers.
This album is tentatively titled Walk With Me Now, however, there is no release date set for this album yet. But everything suggests that DMX is preparing a flashy comeback in 2023 to go along with it. Moreover, in several interviews conducted in the last year, he has clearly stated his wish to organize one more large-scale tour for the fans.
As suggested by the single he released recently and shooting concert-like clips in the studio, DMX might be busy with his album throughout the first quarter of 2023. An autumn release might provide time for a concentrated promotional campaign through the summer and then release Walk With Me Now right before the holiday shopping season.
If that schedule proves accurate, fans must be prepared to wait for the official tour announcement which is likely to drop around summer 2023. After the release of the album, it was to be released on a full concert calendar across North America and Europe – so that fans would have enough time to listen to all the new songs before attending the concert.
To the fans, a DMX comeback tour would be exactly that – the final bow before they could celebrate his reborn status from those wasted years struggling with personal issues. For fans to witness the legendary rapper back performing on stages all around the world with his aggressive flow and hardcore lyrics that were once the anthem of the streets would be heartwarming. But that is the point, this is not a youthful DMX, it has been over 15 years since the last record and this version of DMX may have even more anger, and more pain to share for intense, passionate live concerts.
Well, of course, with such a history as DMX has, one can never be sure of anything. Release plans may vary or transform. But all indications suggest that 2023 can be the year hardcore hip hop fans get that opportunity to cheer once again “Ruff Ryders, Anthem up in here!” with the return of the legendary DMX in his live concert tour.
