Released: 1998
“Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” by DMX is an undeniable hip-hop classic that lays bare the harsh realities of street life, while projecting an uncompromising sense of strength and resilience. Empowered by an infectious beat and DMX’s signature bark, it served as a defining anthem for a generation of rappers and fans alike, vividly narrating the struggles of hustling in the urban landscape.
The chorus, oft-repeated, “Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop. Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll” immediately establishes the Ruff Ryders as a dominant force. The metaphor “shut ’em down, open up shop” presents the crew as a business, moving with an entrepreneurial spirit and a certain ruthlessness that resonates with the harsh realities of life in the streets.
The first verse, starting with “Niggas wanna try, niggas wanna lie, Then niggas wonder why niggas wanna die” paints a raw picture of the cycle of violence and deception that pervades street culture. When DMX rhymes, “My niggas move in silence. Like you don’t know what our style is,” he underscores the covert operations and unspoken codes that keep the crew going.
“Light it up like a candle just ’cause I can’t stand you” is DMX taunting his adversaries, asserting his dominance, and expressing his readiness to cause destruction, likening it to casually lighting a candle. His recognition of the braggadocio and posturing in the streets (“Think you holdin’ weight? Then you haven’t met the apes”) serves as a ‘reality check’ to those who might want to challenge him.
The second verse delves deeper into DMX’s gritty narrative, as he boldly communicates the ruthless nature of survival in the streets, “I’ll bust you and be Swayze,” is a reference to the actor Patrick Swayze who was notably ghost-like in the movie “Ghost”. This implies DMX will swiftly deal with adversaries and disappear – a continuing motif of the stealth and quick retaliation of street culture.
The lines, “That’s how niggas get down. Watch my niggas spit rounds. Make y’all niggas kiss ground,” once again illustrates the violent measures taken to establish respect and dominance, while “Give a dog a bone, leave a dog alone” metaphorically implores respect his boundaries.
The closing verse with, “Look what you done started, asked for it, you got it. Had it, shoulda shot it, now you’re dearly departed” reinforces the theme of repercussions in the street life. DMX ends with the phrase “Talk is cheap, motherfucker!” a pointed reminder that in this world actions speak louder than words.
Step back and you’ll see “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” isn’t just a banger, it’s an unflinching, unapologetic portrayal of the realities of street culture – a cornerstone in the annals of hip-hop.
