It’s crazy how DMX sold mad units his first 3 albums and Dee and Waah didn’t bankroll any profits. X went atleast 4x plat for over 12 million in sales from 98-2000. They hit the jackpot right off the bat and it appears like Def Jam benefited more than they did by giving them a production deal. But I guess RR was hungry and accepted that position until Jimmy Iovine and Steve Stoute came around for the distribution deal straight from Interscope. The issue was the only one moving major units after that was Eve.
Def Jam also used Ruff Ryders to save them from Puff and Badboy totally pushing def jam to extinction. Lyor Cohen and Irv Gotti admitted that in 96-97 they was f*cked and Diddy pretty much had them on the ropes ready for Badboy to put one of the biggest hiphop labels out of business. This was after Puff came out the fire of the east west beef and death row demise with Badboy coming out on top in 97 running not only music but popular culture.
Lox plan backfired on them big time thinking they would get X numbers or attention. Lox debut album will always be their best piece of work and the most successful album. Benjamin’s will always be their biggest record. Puff was also listening to them and letting them switch from shiny suits to leather (jiggy, money Power Respect) videos. They could of had a decent run on Badboy as well getting the production, budgets and marketing. They would of been the lead act after the Mase retirement and would of put black rob, shyne and gdep on.