
Themes of redemption weave throughout “EXODUS,” the first Def Jam album by DMX in 18 years, since 2003’s “Grand Champ.” The new album shares its name with DMX’s son Exodus Simmons. He put his time and effort…this is something different.” This is us like in the studio every day, like really, really zoned out and making magic. Before, a lot of the projects was like sending a beat here, sending a beat there. “This is the first time me and X locked in for like 13 years, like officially. It’s not a regular tone,” Swizz continued. A lot of people don’t get it, but he knew it for a long time. That’s why we’re on earth, to prepare for our graduation. It’s almost like he was preparing for this the whole time, as we all should. Swizz expounded in an interview on “Ebro in the Morning” saying, “It’s crazy because his lyrics mean so much more now. This album, X couldn’t wait for his fans all around the world to hear and show just how much he valued each and every single person that has supported him unconditionally.” Most of all, he was generous with his giving and loved his fans beyond measure. He lived his life dedicated to his family and music. Swizz Beatz, executive producer and producer of “EXODUS,” issued the following statement: “My brother X was one of the most pure and rare souls I’ve ever met. His man Jadakiss once said in a verse, “You know dead rappers get better promotion.” Now this week, as fans around the world continue to celebrate the life of hip-hop icon DMX, his career-long producer and friend Swizz Beatz announced that the legendary rapper’s posthumous studio album of all new original material, “EXODUS,” has been set for release on May 28 via Def Jam Recordings. We as consumers and REAL fans of the DOG knew the day would come that we’d have to go down a slippery slope. It hits you!” Unfortunately, now every song on the album will hit you as this collection will be his swan song work. Then we got this dude, Brian King Joseph, from one of those talent shows (“America’s Got Talent”) to come in and play the violin…it came out crazy. “Yo, you gotta hear that, it’s called “Letter to My Son.” When I first did it, it was just me and a piano, I never did a song with just one instrument. One song he was itching to get out was the duet with Usher. Swizz did it, he’s the magician.” Not known for extended features, X proudly ran down an all-star list of collaborators who were all slated to guest, including the likes of Alicia Keys, Bono, Lil Wayne, Snoop, Pop Smoke, the Lox and Griselda.

Said DMX, “I was almost overwhelmed by how excited, not just excited but how many people wanted to be a part of this project.

Twenty-three years after the release of his genre-altering debut album “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” DMX, on an episode of the podcast Drink Champs, spoke with exuberance, details of the then yet to be completed new album.
