Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
One of the breakout stars of 1998, DMX wasted little time in following up his No. 1 albumIt's Dark and Hell Is HotwithFlesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood. If the quick turnaround seems surprising, maybe it's because DMX's second LP doesn't fall far from the original tree. Key to his formula, DMX has mastered the art of thug-life anthems, following in the dubious footsteps of2PacandNoreaga. While his gruff voice and simple delivery help make his songs infectious, they're rarely creative, especially with anemic beats, redundant subject matter, and his trademark barks. Basically,Flesh of My Fleshis a perfect buy for those who couldn't wait a whole year for another DMX LP, but it won't convert many new listeners.--Oliver Wang