It's Dark and Hell Is Hot


It's Dark and Hell Is Hot is the debut studio album by American rapper DMX. It was released on May 12, 1998 by Ruff Ryders and Def Jam. It was supported by four singles—"Get at Me Dog", "Stop Being Greedy", "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "How's It Goin' Down", in order of release—and their accompanying music videos.
It primarily includes production from Dame Grease and PK, in addition to production from Irv Gotti and Lil Rob, Younglord, and Swizz Beatz. The album is widely considered a classic among hip hop fans and critics.

Critical reception

It's Dark and Hell Is Hot was met with positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic commented that "Unlike so many other hardcore rappers who are more rhetorical than physical, DMX commands an aggressive aura without even speaking a word." Leading Hip Hop magazine The Source described the album as "a mind-gripping opus that fully encompasses the appeal of one of rap's newest sensations."

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and sold 251,000 copies in its first week in the United States. The album was certified 4x Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on December 18, 2000.

Track listing

; Notes
; Sample credits
;Courtesies

Certifications