No matter his acting abilities, DMX is a natural for the silver screen. Ever since his album debut, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, the former Earl Simmons has flaunted a flair for the dramatic, and his work ethic is one of the toughest in hip-hop. He must have been especially busy filming, since the soundtrack for Cradle 2 the Grave, his first starring turn (with Jet Li), has only three features for DMX himself. Taking up the slack, fortunately, are some of the hottest rappers circa 2003: Eminem, with a track featuring DMX as well, plus 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, Clipse, and Drag-On. The leadoff track is DMX's own "X Gon' Give It to Ya," a typically grandiose contribution that compares pretty well to the rest of his work but doesn't sound too special. Eminem's self-produced "Go to Sleep" is an extremist (even for him) murder fantasy that goes down in a hail of screams and bullets, while "My Life (Cradle 2 the Grave)" finds Foxy Brown turning curiously reflective (and more than just a bit poignant). Surprisingly, amidst the raft of big names, DMX affiliate Drag-On steals one of the best tracks, "Fireman," an off-kilter track that blows through a pair of contrasting percussion lines, borrowing from "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and "Pusherman," but sounds completely original nevertheless. John Bush.
Disc 1: X Gon'give It to Ya - DMX Go to Sleep - DMX feat. Eminem & Obie Trice What's It All for?- Bazaar Royale Follow Me Gangster - 50 Cent & the G-Unit Stompdash**Outu - C.N.N. feat. M.O.P. Going Up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue My Life (Cradle 2 the Grave) - Foxy Brown feat. Althea Fireman - Drag-On Drop Drop - Joe Budden I'm Serious - Clipse Right/Wrong - DMX It's Gon' Be What It's Gon' Be - Jinx & Loose Hand That Rocks the Cradle - Big Stan Won't Be Coming Back - Baby C2G - Fat Joe feat. Youngn' Restless Focus - Kashmir Slangin' Dem Thangs - Profit Off the Hook - Jinx Da Juvy Getting Down - Bloodline Records Kennel (DMX, Big Stan, Kashmir & Bazaar Royale) (Bonus Track)