DMX YEAR OF THE DOG AGAIN

Audio Mixers: Dragan "Chach" Cacinovic; Alonzo Vargas; Blake Douglas; Jaime Duncan; Rich Keller.
Sorry Snoop, but contrary to popular belief, DMX is the man most directly responsible for making "dog" the new "dude." Since his explosive 1998 debut, IT'S DARK AND HELL IS HOT, DMX has been a force to be reckoned with. His ferocious flow and signature growl have made him one of the most consistently successful and frequently imitated vocalists in the rap game. After a three-year break (more than enough time for an MC who used to put out three CDs every two years), X returns with THE YEAR OF THE DOG...AGAIN. With amped-up synthesizer beats from Swizz Beats, Scott Storch, and Elite, X comes out hard from the gate and does what he does best--namely spitting hardcore lyrics with hooks that stick in your head all day. Overall, his seventh full length release follows the formula of his past success, and hard-hitting street anthems like "We In Here" and "Give 'Em What They Want" are tempered by softer, R&B-laced ballads like "Dog Love" and "Goodbye." Guest appearances abound from fellow MCs Busta Rhymes, Kashmir, Big Stan, Jinx, Jadakiss, and Styles P as well as R&B songstress Amerie.

• Format: CD