This Dog Is Still the Champ

DMX is back with his newest release, Grand Champ, which hits harder and quicker than his 2001 mediocre album, The Great. It’s good to see DMX back where he belongs – behind a mic, making club-bumping hits.The whole album flows well, with radio hip tracks like “Where the Hood At?” flowing into the car bumping sounds of “Dogs Out.” The production by the Ruff Ryder’s newest producers Tuneheadz is slick but simple, not overpowering DMX’s brash voice, and letting the listener feel the album. Many of the beats, especially on songs like “We ‘Bout to Blow,” are reminiscent of the early 90’s hip-hop clubs, where the music would be pumping loud and hard all night.
DMX’s harshness isn’t just in his voice; it’s in his lyrics as well. Never one to mince words, lyrics like “Imma take it back to the shit talking/slick talking/smack a nigga/call him a bitch and keep walking” show that DMX the actor isn’t nearly as rough as DMX the rapper.
It’s good to see that DMX is able to come back and pump out an album that is much stronger than his last effort. With so many new rappers coming out without much sustenance, DMX is able to keep it hard and real.