Just a couple of months after being released from prison for federal tax evasion, DMX shut down REVOLT’s REVOLT House showcase at SXSW.
After an action-packed day of wonderful performances from Childish Major, Flipp Dinero, Dreezy, Ade, Cantrell, and Posa, this year’s headliner kept the crowd in Austin hyped all night as he ran through his classic hits starting with “We Right Here” while wearing a classic Ruff Ryders football jersey.
Throughout the performance, DMX bounced off of the energy of fans barking and cheering him on in the crowd during the late night show. He even shouted out Cee-Lo and Big Boi who were in attendance at the show, calling them “the legends.”
“I’ve seen a lot of things. I fucked a lot of bitches,” X said to the packed crowd. “I say that to say that being on stage in front of a room full of people that love you is better than the best p*ssy that I ever got in my fucking life! I’m here because of you! I’m here because of you! I’m here because of you! Without you, there will be no me.”
With seven albums full of classic material, this set was clearly for the hardcore DMX fan as he performed hits like “One More Road to Cross,” “It’s All Good,” “What’s My Name,” “Get It on the Floor” and of course, “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” which he performed on top of a speaker as the crowd recited the infectious “stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop,” hook.
During his performance of the legendary Sisqo-assisted hit, “What These Bitches Want,” X had the volume of the instrumental turned down as he had an ASMR-esque moment when he whispered his second verse shout outs to “Brenda, Latisha, Linda, Felicia” and the other 42 women that were “all treated fairly” according to the song.
As the night progressed, X gave fans a preview to the It’s Dark & Hell is Hot 20th anniversary tour (which began last week) with a performance of his debut single “Get At Me Dog.” Before the show ended, a small fight broke out in front of the rapper. He reacted by saying, “I wouldn’t feel right if there wasn’t one altercation.”
Throughout the night, X took a few moments to publically pray as he’s notoriously known for doing during his concerts, but towards the end, he took a moment to thank God for everything in his life including the good and the bad. “I thank God for my dark times,” he said. “I thank God for my obstacles. I thank God for my difficult situations cause it is during those times I become aware of what God is willing to do for me.” After dimming the lights to perform “Slippin,” X instructed the crowd to “light this motherfucker up” with cellphone lights and lighters. He said the song is for “God’s warriors,” as the track discusses hitting rock bottom and overcoming life’s obstacles to come out a better person on the other side.
With DMX spotted in the studio with Swizz Beatz recently, his performance at REVOLT House not only excited fans for the current anniversary tour, but also new music from the Ruff Ryders heavy hitter.