Dyl Thomas
A Tribute To Pete Rock - Beat Tape

SonnyJim and Giallo Point are back at it! The two UK hip-hop legends get back in the kitchen to cook up the 2nd chapter to "No Vi$ible Means of Income" and the result is this incredible 12-track album, with SonnyJim's lavish story-telling perfectly delivered over Giallo's soulful chops. Featuring guest appearances by Remy Banks, Yungmorpheus, Rim of Da Villins and Asun Eastwood.

All the barking and growling in the world could not detract from the fact that DMX is a troubled, tormented soul. On And Then There Was X, the multiplatinum-selling Dark Man X uses his signature fragmented flow with its singsongy vocal inflections to preach, teach, and reveal. Melodramatic storytelling has always been his shtick, whether it's tales of robbing liquor stores, plotting violent murders, or teaching shorties the code of the streets. X's inner conflicts are laid out on "Angel," a dialogue between himself and his Lord, and his ability to acknowledge different perspectives of a situation (i.e., repercussions) on several songs add depth to his character. The anthemlike "What's My Name," with its affirmations "I have no friends" and "I'm not a nice person," proves that money, fame, and popularity do not translate into happiness for DMX.