Recorded 1997 Label Ruff Ryders, Def Jam | Length 3:34 Producer(s) Swizz Beatz | |
Released May 5, 1998 (1998-05-05) Genre Gangsta rap, east coast hip hop | ||
"Ruff Ryders' Anthem" is a song by American hip hop recording artist DMX, released as the fourth single from his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998). It ranks at #79 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. In the U.S. it peaked at #93 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Background
It was produced by a then unknown record producer, Swizz Beatz. Instrumentally, it was famous for the catchy sitar looping sound. The song was released in 1998 as a B-Side to "Slippin'". The song is one of DMX's best known singles.
Music video
The official music video features scenes where DMX and his crew are bodybuilding, while there are other scenes with motorbikes. The video features cameo appearances by the rap group Onyx, The LOX and Eve.
DJ Clue Remix
"Ruff Ryders' Anthem (Remix)" features DMX, Jadakiss, Styles P, Drag-On, & Eve; and was released in 1999 as the third and final single from Clue's solo debut, The Professional (1998). The remix charted on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and was later on featured in Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories in the station "The Liberty Jam".