Released: 1998
“Slippin'” by DMX is a raw, poignant expression of a life marred by hardship and struggle but also marked by resilience and the quest for redemption. DMX uses metaphorical imagery, candid storytelling, and a haunting repetition of the hook, “Ayo, I’m slippin’, I’m fallin’, I can’t get up,” to depict a life bogged down by errors but buoyed by the insistent determination to rise above them.
The repetition in the chorus “Ayo, I’m slippin’, I’m fallin’, I can’t get up,” describes a cyclical pattern of both physical and metaphorical stumbling — a struggle with life’s adversities, personal failures, and a hard-to-shake past. The phrase “I gots to get up. Get me back on my feet so I can tear shit up,” encapsulates the drive to overcome hardships, to rise, and make an impact.
In the verse “I’ve been through mad different phases, like mazes, to find my way,” DMX speaks of the winding and challenging journey he has had to navigate thus far. He introduces his early experiences with familial abandonment, falling into the criminal justice system, and the formation of a hardened demeanor for survival. His reference to “mazes” illustrates his struggle as complex and fraught with confusion.
The second verse delves deeper into his life on the streets, dabbling with drugs, petty crime, and a gradually worsening lifestyle. The imagery presented through lines like “actions become bolder, heart got colder” and “possessed by the darker side, living the cruddy life” portrays a life spiraling out of control. He slips, he falls, he struggles – and yet there’s an urgent need to get up, a recurring theme throughout the song underlining his resilience.
The final verse chronicles DMX’s turning point. Hitting rock bottom and realizing that “[he’s] got a son,” he switches up his style and starts making positive changes. He acknowledges those who supported him through thick and thin, which includes both his friends that “kept it real” and his “boo,” reinforcing the theme of redemption and gratitude. The reiteration of the chorus after sharing his redemption symbolizes his constant struggle; even though he is moving in a positive direction, the risk of slipping and falling always looms.
DMX’s “Slippin'” is not only a testimony to his life but a universal anthem for anyone battling adversities. The rawness of the lyrics coupled with the authenticity of his delivery makes it a timeless piece in the annals of hip-hop.
