Throwback Thursday: "Ryde or Die" -- Ruff Ryders

People tend to forget the days when this was this illest clique around. And this cut was a sick posse track that showcased their trademark bravado.

Small sidenote: Drag-On blew up after this video...then just as quickly disappeared.

Throwback Thursday: "Slippin" -- DMX

This may be my favorite DMX track. The title and message carry an ironic weight now, though, because X has lost a few battles with his crack addiction in the 12 years since this was released.

Throwback Thursday: "How's It Goin' Down" -- DMX

I miss this DMX. Sure, the track is one of his more "commercial" songs. But he still brought his knack for humor and street-life storytelling to the track, and his tale has an authentic feel. It may be hard for today's generations of hip-hop fans to picture D as a masterful artist capable of infusing emotion into every bar he spits, but he truly was that at one point in time. *sigh* Crack's a hell of a drug.

Two quick sidenotes:

(1.) Someone once pointed out that the best part of this song is the very end, where he essentially kisses off shorty by laughing in her face.
(2.) Keep an eye out at the 3:47 mark, when a young Eve makes one of her first on camera appearances of her career (albeit as eye candy/scenery, not as an emcee).