Was DMX the least criticized/hated rap superstar ever?

[Street Knowledge]

DMX was one of the biggest rappers but for the most part, he never got the typical hate/slander that other superstar level rappers get. In comparison to his peers or even rappers that came after him that reach certain heights.

Whenever he dropped an album that either underperformed or was a weedplate or it was never dragged over his head like his peers. Whenever he took L’s outside of the booth like blowing his fortunes, having all the kids out of wedlock, the constant arrests, the drug problems people more so felt sorry for him than dunked on him like other rappers.

What do you think the reason for this was? One argument I’ve heard is that for someone so popular, he doesn’t really have Stan’s like that at least to the level of other Star mcs. So shytting on DMX doesn’t really get you the views as others because you’re not engaging with this huge online fanbase to get traction. I made a thread about it before, but DMX doesn’t nor has he ever really had a prominent online fanbase.

 

[H. Selassie]

Not outright slander but there were pockets of ridicule/jokes online and elsewhere when he was in and out of jail, relapsing, etc. “Crackman X” and all that.

I also recall seeing people go in on this particular moment:

The optics of the pink handcuffs + in and out of jail + suspect lyrics. I never saw DMX get shytted on large scale but he wasn’t exempt from people talking shyt.

 

[Cladyclad]

Its some truth to your post

But some media called him in gimmick during his first 3 albums

 

[IsThatBrothaMouzone?]

DMX never sold himself like he's a Jay Z, Em, Nas or even Mos Def type MC.

He found the middle ground of being taken seriously yet not be held to some ridiculous standard of having every bar be perfect and every beat being flawless.

He didn't come across as self-important acting like he was hip-hop Shakespeare, so he got less critiques.

 

[Deltron]

I think it might be because he was unapologetically himself.

lots of rappers / actors / celebs try to curate an image of themselves to the public and are so heavily managed that we truly don't know who they are.

With X though, you can see he says who he says he is be it though the music, interviews, etc.

can't really hate on someone like that.

 

[Knucklehead]

People loved him for his raw energy and feeling of his music.
The purists kinda checked out on him and didn’t ruin it!

 

[MJ Truth]

Method Man or Redman are good options here as well. Jadakiss. Face.

 

[Elim Garak]

Probably, I don't like how people try to say rappers from that time periods lyrics were suspect though. We knew certain things weren't supposed to be taken literally then.

 

[Deltron]

Method Man or Redman are good options here as well. Jadakiss. Face.

throw in Curren$y too. only real criticism I see is that he releases shyt too often and/or it may sound all the same

 

[raoulduke187]

because X kept it real

 

[Iverson_64]

Not quite. I'd say Rakim fits that bill more. I legit can't think of any negative sentiment towards Rakim at all and he's highly respected across the board for both his rapping and his cool persona.

But DMX is up there.

The reason is that DMX was always very open about his inner demons and mishaps in life and didn't shy away from being vulnerable and honest about it. DMX wasn't really a rapper who was quick to hide his flaws or deflect to other people's flaws. He owned up to him being a mess and trying to do better. He even went on Dr. Phil's show to speak on it publicly.

As for the music, I disagree. I've heard many people including on here highlight DMX's fall off after the early 2000's. Those types of conversations obviously declined after his death out of respect but, when he was still living, DMX was widely deemed "washed" by the mid-2000's and onward. He was mostly defined by his 6 year run from 1998-2003. And even the latter half of that era had a lot of criticism or mixed opinions.

 

[MJ Truth]

throw in Curren$y too. only real criticism I see is that he releases shyt too often and/or it may sound all the same

While we’re at it, throw Larry June in there. E40 and Too Short rarely get BS thrown their way too.

 

[TAYLONDO SAMSWORTHY]

because X kept it real

This.

I think its a mix of X’s authenticity and the fact people more felt uncomfortable and sorry/empathy for him because he was just so unapologetically himself.

Also some fear was involved with people around him/his rap industry peers

 

[L. Deezy]

Snoop is..

 

[Barney Rubble]

Probably, I don't like how people try to say rappers from that time periods lyrics were suspect though. We knew certain things weren't supposed to be taken literally then.

These dudes "pause" every other sentence and think 90's rappers were gay cuz they used shock lyrics. It's so corny.