Entertainment
New posthumous DMX album Exodus announced
A new DMX album will be released on May 28, just under two months after the rapper’s death.
The posthumous album, titled Exodus, features all-new original material and will be released by Ruff Ryders and Def Jam Recordings, where DMX had signed a new deal in 2019.
In a statement, DMX’S friend and long-time collaborator producer Swizz Beatz described him as ‘one of the most pure and rare souls I’ve ever met’.
He continued: ‘He lived his life dedicated to his family and music. Most of all, he was generous with his giving and loved his fans beyond measure.
‘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.’
DMX – real name Earl Simmons – died aged 50 on April 9, following a heart attack, which was allegedly brought on by an overdose. He was on life support for a week, but reports suggested he had not regained any brain function after being deprived of oxygen for around 30 minutes.
DMX saw huge success from the beginnings of his career in the 1990s, with the release of his debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot in 1998, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the US, selling more than five million copies.
He went on to become the only musical artist in history to release five consecutive albums that debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Exodus will be the rapper’s eighth studio album, and his first since Undisputed in 2012.
The album is named after his four-year-old son, Exodus Simmons, and features original artwork by Jonathan Mannion, who has photographed DMX many times before.
This is not the first posthumous release for the rapper as a week after his death new track Been to War was released, which also featured Swizz Beatz and French Montana, and was recorded for the TV series Godfather of Harlem.
DMX’s memorial service was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, produced by Kanye West, who also performed with Sunday Service Choir.
It was attended by rapping royalty including Nas, Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz and other members of DMX’s Ruff Ryders collective, Eve and The Lox.
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