Ruff Ryders' Anthem

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" is a song by American rapper DMX, released on May 5, 1998, as the third single from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998). In 2008, the song was ranked at number 79 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.[1] In the US, upon the song's initial release it had originally peaked at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, before reaching a new peak of number 16 following DMX's death in April 2021.

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
Single by DMX
from the album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
ReleasedMay 5, 1998 (1998-05-05)
RecordedFebruary 1998
GenreHardcore hip hop
Length3:34
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Swizz Beatz
DMX singles chronology
"Money, Power & Respect"
(1998)		 "Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
(1998)		 "How's It Goin' Down"
(1998)
Music video
"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" on YouTube

Background and conception

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" was produced by Kasseem Dean, at the time an up-and-coming musician better known as Swizz Beatz.[2] Swizz Beatz had been introduced to DMX by his uncles Darrin and Joaquin Dean, who are co-founders of the Ruff Ryders. According to Swizz Beatz, DMX had initially rejected the production: "I made the 'Ruff Ryders Anthem' beat in Atlanta. It was me just bugging out, having my New York influence and having my Atlanta influence. That track was the perfect blend which was awkward and different at the time because nobody had ever heard anything like that. DMX didn't want to do it. He was like, 'Man, that sounds like some rock 'n' roll track, I need some hip-hop shit. I'm not doing that. It's not hood enough."[2] Despite Swizz Beatz's best efforts, it wasn't until Darrin and Joaquin Dean convinced DMX to give the track a chance that he did so.[2]

Composition

The background vocals and beat follow the rhythm of a military cadence. This coincides with the hook's theme of being a cohesive unit. Swizz Beatz once recalled how the 'What!' ad-libs formulated, stating "The 'What!' ad-lib and all of that came about in the middle of us hyping him up. We left it in the track to add energy. Collectively, we came up with that vibe".[2]

Music video

The official music video was directed by J. Jesses Smith, who had previously worked with DMX on the visuals for “Get at Me Dog”. The video features cameo appearances by rap group Onyx as well as DMX's Ruff Ryders label-mates The LOX, Eve, and Swizz Beatz. It has over 206 million views on YouTube as of 2023.[3]

Charts
1998 weekly chart performance for "Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
Chart (1998) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[4] 93
U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[5] 33
2021 weekly chart performance for "Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[6] 36
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 16
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[8] 9

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)"
"Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)"
Single by DJ Clue? featuring DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, Drag-On and Eve
from the album The Professional
Released1999
Recorded1998
Genre
Length3:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
DJ Clue? singles chronology
"I Like Control"
(1999)		 "Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)"
(1999)		 "Back 2 Life 2001"
(2000)

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)" is a song featuring vocals from American rappers and Ruff Ryders cohorts DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, Drag-On and Eve. The song was released in 1999 as the third and final single from DJ Clue's solo debut album, The Professional (1998).[9]

The remix charted on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and was later featured in Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories in the ingame radio station The Liberty Jam. In 2020, the song was featured in the video game Call of Duty: Warzone.[10]

Charts
Charts (1999) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks[9] 16

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[12] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. VH1's Greatest Songs of Hip Hop
  2. "Swizz Beatz Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records (Part 1)". Complex Networks.
  3. "Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Official Video) – DMX". Vevo. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
  4. "DMX – Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  5. "DMX – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  6. "DMX Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  7. "DMX Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  8. "DMX Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  9. "The Professional - DJ Clue? > Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  10. "Call of Duty Warzone all War Tracks: Every song you can play in your vehicle". Rock Paper Shotgun. February 25, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  11. "British single certifications – DMX – Ruff Ryders Anthem". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  12. "American single certifications – DMX – Ruff Ryders Anthem". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
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