Ruff Ryders' Anthem

"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" is the third single off of American rapper DMX's  debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. The song was released on May 5, 1998. It was written by the artist alongside the song's producer Swizz Beatz.

DMX said during an 1998 interview with Billboard, "The song I wrote I think it was this was about Ruff Ryders' going journey with me, and I wrote a song, which I called it the Ruff Ryders' Anthem".

When it came out, the song was able to make it to #33 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and #93 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. In 2021, it was able to make it to #9 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #36 on the Canadian Hot 100. It was also certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

During the making of the song, Swizz Beats said that DMX didn't want to do the song at first because he felt that it was too rock and roll. He eventually was talked into making it.

In the song, DMX raps about how he and his crew, the Ruff Ryders, will kill anyone who crosses them. 

A music video for the song was released. In the video, DMX and his crew drive motorcycles down the street and lift weights. He also raps on top of school buses. Swizz Beatz, The LOX, and Eve all appear in the video.

References

Other websites

Category:1998 songs
Category:DMX songs
Category:Dance songs
Category:Hip hop songs