4/5
Put Your Hands Together
It's hard to believe it has been over three years since the passing of Earl Simmons. It's even harder to take the fact that he's gone. For the first time since DMX's 2021 posthumous 'Exodus' (featuring everyone from Alicia Keys to Bono of U2), the dog is back. Yet this album is no, life after death, vault raiding, cynical cash-grab. X's latest serves more like an EP that will remind you of the album made out of the late, great Tupac Shakur's poetry, 'The Rose That Grew From Concrete'. The man that sometimes resembles 'Pac in prayer has his words with God turned into an inspirational set that says, 'Let Us Pray' for 'Chapter X' of the legacy of a legend who will never ever really die in time. And then there was X again.
From the 1998 double Def Jam definition of 'It's Dark and Hell Is Hot' and 'Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood', to the unanimous 'Undisputed' end. Not to mention all the Ruff Ryding '...And Then There Was X', 'The Great Depression', 'Grand Champ' and 'Year Of The Dog...Again' in-between, D's dominant discography was always curtain concluded with a prayer up to the most-high. Him to He. And now these words are immortalized once more in song. Featuring the beautiful backing of the RoyzNoyz Orchestra, all the way to the instrumental end of this four-track, doubled-up and down to become an eighth wonder. The hip-hop mix of jazz and soul with greats Lena Byrd Miles and a 'Sweeter' Terrace Martin also join X with Killer Mike, Lecrae ('Bear With Me') the 'Shackles' of a stirring Mary Mary. Not to forget legends like the great MC Lyte (fresh off of September's '1 Of 1') and Snoop Dogg who also assumes the 'Missionary' position this New Music Friday with his first Dr. Dre album since the 30-year-old 'Doggystyle'.
Snoop sent so much according to Grammy winning songwriter and producer Warryn Campbell who curated this set that marks the spot of X's formidable fortress of faith. Breathing new life into the raw and real words of an honest and heartfelt man of God...and the world that made him. A monologue mediation of life and death, the ultimate posthumous album does E.A.R.L. proud. From the first 'Favor', 'Until I'm Gone', Simmons shimmers instead of simmers like the perfect pose on the classic cover. The real album art comes with 'One Life To Do It', mind you, as DMX and Campbell show how he did it. "Begging for direction for my soul needs resurrection/I don't deserve what You've given me, but You never took it from me/'Cause I am grateful, and I use it, and I do not worship money/If what You want from me is to bring Your children to You, my regret is only having one life to do it instead of two." And as Lyte says, "I'm gonna stand with you, D, on that one, right here, right now, I agree", we believe in that too. Now, maybe this all means that the original intended double rap and gospel album of 'Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later' will finally see the light of day and the glory of God. Let it be. Then our prayers will truly be answered by God and the dog. Chapter and verse. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Praylist Picks: 'Favor (Feat. Killer Mike, Mary Mary & RoyzNoyz Orchestra)', 'One Life To Do It (Feat. MC Lyte & RoyzNoyz Orchestra)', 'Until I'm Gone (Feat. Lena Byrd Miles, Snoop Dogg & Terrace Martin)'.
Spin This: 2Pac - 'The Rose That Grew From Concrete'
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