Surprised to not see this yet. DMX was a pivotal artist in my journey falling in love with Hip-hop. Looking back on it I'm not sure why I connected with 'It's Dark And Hell Is Hot' so much, but I definitely did. The whole Ruff Ryders movement was so refreshing at the time.
In a way I think DMX led the way in violence being an aesthetic for me. It wasn't trying to tell you how it is anymore it was more about how it felt. I'm sure others will see it differently, but the violence and the desperation were something that I related to more because it was so over the top and overt. He literally has a song with him making a deal with the devil an murdering people for the success that the devil can grant. I never wanted to make a deal with the devil, but I have often felt that every move I made was a bad one and wondered where was my guardian angel because I need one and wish I had one.
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