Breaking from normal programming for a brief reflection on Earl Simmons, a.k.a. and hereinafter DMX. “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” (IDHH) is still one of the greatest rap albums of all time, so consider this an appreciation

The year is 1998. It’s been two years since Tupac was killed at the height of his powers. Looking East, it’s been two years since Mobb Deep’s menacing “Hell on Earth,” one year since the epic “Wu-Tang Forever” and one month since Big Pun’s super-lyrical “Capital Punishment”

All of these albums are different and yet all of them are united by their ambition, cinematic storytelling, and thematic consistency. Each is long and tells a coherent story, each track leads to the next, each is extraordinarily dark, violent, soulful, and captivating.

When IDHH dropped, the comparisons to Pac were immediate for obvious reasons. But it would take Pac years to record an album this good. IDHH’s first full track is “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem”! Anything but a masterpiece would have collapsed under the weight of that opening.

Basically, IDHH distinguished itself at a time when the best in the game were at their best. It hasn’t lost its power. If you haven’t listened to it from beginning to end, you’re missing out. RIP