A posthumous album of all-new material from late rapper DMX, Exodus, is due out on May 28 on Def Jam Recordings. X’s longtime collaborator producer Swizz Beatz is listed as both the executive producer and producer of the collection.
“My brother X was one of the most pure and rare souls I’ve ever met,” Swizz said in a statement about the Grammy-nominated Ruff Ryders MC and actor (born Earl Simmons), who died at age 50 on April 9 after suffering what officials called a catastrophic cardiac arrest. “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.”
X’s first Def Jam album in 18 years — since 2003’s Grand Champ — shares its name with one of the rapper’s sons, Exodus Simmons, and will feature themes of redemption, according to the statement. Album artwork is by photographer Jonathan Mannion, a frequent collaborator.
DMX, who sold more than 74 million records worldwide in his lifetime, continues to hold the distinction of being the only artist in history to enter both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts with No. 1 debuts for his first five consecutive career albums: It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (May 1998, with “Ruff Ryders Anthem”), Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (December 1998), … And Then There Was X (1999, with “Party Up (Up In Here)”), The Great Depression (2001, with “Who We Be”) and Grand Champ (2003, “Where The Hood At?”).
A track listing for Exodus was not available at press time.
This article was originally published on billboard.com.
