DMX. Photo Credit: Mika / CC by 3.0
About one month ago, reports revealed that a new DMX album, which the rapper had completed shortly before his April 9th passing, was set to release sometime in 2021. Now, the “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” artist’s team has announced that this eighth studio album, entitled Exodus, will become available to fans on Friday, May 28th.
The estate of DMX, whose full name was Earl Simmons. just recently took to social media to unveil the quick-approaching release of Exodus. This work will mark the three-time Grammy nominee’s first album since 2012’s Undisputed.
“5/28 THE LEGACY CONTINUES.. #EXODUSALBUM,” reads the message published on DMX’s Instagram and Twitter accounts. At the time of this piece’s writing, the former platform’s post had generated close to 93,000 likes (though comments were disabled), against roughly 4,300 retweets and about 16,500 likes for the tweet.
Additionally, Swizz Beatz – who executive-produced Exodus, which is the name of DMX’s four-year-old son with Desiree Lindstrom – acknowledged the album’s arrival on social media and in a widely circulated statement.
“My brother X was one of the most pure and rare souls I’ve ever met. He lived his life dedicated to his family and music. Most of all, he was generous with his giving and loved his fans beyond measure. This album, X couldn’t wait for his fans all around the world to hear and show just how much he valued each and every single person that has supported him unconditionally,” said Swizz Beatz, who sold Verzuz to Triller in early March.
Swizz Beatz, whose full name is Kasseem Daoud Dean, also wrote on Instagram this afternoon: “played EXODUS for a few family members last night.” Included with the 42-year-old’s message are 10 photos of this listening event, and more than a few artists and fans have voiced their excitement for Exodus in the comments section.
Moreover, a number of the Exodus announcement-message responses on Twitter appear positive – though some have expressed concerns about whether the work’s earnings will reach DMX’s family and about whether the album will release too soon after DMX’s death.
“Unless his kids and mama [are] getting all the proceeds I don’t want to hear it,” weighed in one individual. (Revenue from the sold-out DMX tribute t-shirt, which costs $200, will reach the rapper’s family, per the product’s website.)
“I’m gonna f–k with it but it’s strange how when our legends pass on, suddenly there’s music not even a month later,” stated another Twitter user.
“I got Every album from X but I’m not buying this shit… mfs always tryna profit off of Black Death. Sad RiP X,” echoed another person.
“Weird AF that the man didnt use his twitter in how long and now that he’s dead got ppl using him for money making a damn tweet. You should be ashamed of yourselves. f–king GOOFY,” penned a different observer yet.
For reference, the last tweet posted to DMX’s twitter account (before the Exodus announcement) is dated November 19th, 2017. Neither UMG’s Def Jam Records nor DMX’s team has publicly identified the album’s length, tracklist, and featured artists.