DMX wasn’t just a rapper — he was a moment.

On his birthday, we break down his rise with Ruff Ryders, the chaos and dominance of Woodstock ’99, and how he released two undeniable classics in just seven months.

We talk Swizz Beatz, Def Jam, the Hard Knock Life Tour, and the pressure DMX put on everyone around him — including Jay-Z — simply by existing.

This isn’t a recap. It’s a conversation about impact, competition, and why DMX still matters.

DMX, Ruff Ryders, Woodstock 99, Def Jam, Swizz Beatz, Jay Z, 90s hip hop, hip hop history