DMX presents himself as a hard-core rapper, but essentially he makes music designed to entertain suburban children. His rage-filled persona is too over-the-top to take seriously (he starts this album growling and barking) and his lyrics, (“Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Nigga!”) lack wit. On Party Up, he tries to craft a clubland anthem and fails. It’s not much fun partying with a guy who’s probably just gonna start a fight and ruin everything. Still, one song, What’s My Name?, does have a welcome sense of urgency.
Fellow gangsta rapper Jay-Z fares better on his new CD. Unlike DMX, he keeps his music uncluttered, and his lyrical flow is smooth and relaxed. There aren’t any great cuts here, but Things That U Do–with gentle guest vocals by Mariah Carey–demonstrates Jay-Z’s skill at creating a good, involving dance song.
–By Christopher John Farley
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Cybersecurity Experts Are Sounding the Alarm on DOGE
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Michelle Zauner Stares Down the Darkness
Contact us at letters@time.com