DMX – “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” [Audio, Lyrics]

Throwback to the “Ruff Ryders'” by the late DMX. The song was produced by Swizz Beatz. Listen, stream, buy, read the lyrics to the song.

Dmx Ruff Ryders’ Anthem

DMX’s debut album It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot is a haunting and brutally honest deconstruction of one of rap’s most fascinating writers. Not only does it feature some of his most compelling material from a thematic standpoint, but it also happens to feature the highest-charting song of his entire career in “Ruff Ryders Anthem.”

Released twenty-three years ago on May 5th, 1998, the Swizz Beatz-produced classic was actually a major stylistic departure for the Yonkers lyricist. Fueled by Swizzy’s Atlanta influences, which stemmed from his time spent in the thriving hip-hop hub, the instrumental was not exactly well-received by X — at least, not at first. Hard to believe, given how many people have come to appreciate the timeless banger as one of his definitive tracks. At once intimidating and infectious, X’s militant delivery showcased a superstar’s versatility — not to mention the eternally important ability to navigate the mainstream without sacrificing his artistic identity.

DMX – Ruff Ryders’ Anthem (prod. Swizz Beatz)

Lyrics

[Produced by Swizz Beatz]

[Intro]
Uh
Something new

[Chorus]
Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop
Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll
Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop
Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll

[Verse 1]
Niggas wanna try, niggas wanna lie
Then niggas wonder why niggas wanna die
All I know is pain, all I feel is rain
How can I maintain with that shit on my brain?
I resort to violence, my niggas move in silence
Like you don’t know what our style is, New York niggas the wildest
My niggas is with it, you want it? Come and get it
Took it then we split it, you fuckin’ right we did it
What the fuck you gon’ do when we run up on you?
Fuckin’ with the wrong crew, don’t know what we goin’ through
I’ma have to show niggas how easily we blow niggas
Lemme find out there’s some more niggas that’s runnin’ with your niggas
Nothin’ we can’t handle, break it up and dismantle
Light it up like a candle just ’cause I can’t stand you
Put my shit on tapes like you bustin’ grapes
Think you holdin’ weight then you haven’t met the apes

[Chorus]
Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop
Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll
Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop
Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll

[Verse 2]
Is y’all niggas crazy? I’ll bust you and be Swayze
Stop actin’ like a baby, mind your business, lady
Nosy people get it too, when you see me spit at you
You know I’m tryin’ to get rid of you, yeah I know, it’s pitiful
That’s how niggas get down, watch my niggas spit rounds
Make y’all niggas kiss ground just for talkin’ shit, clown
Oh, you think it’s funny? Then you don’t know me, money
It’s about to get ugly, fuck it, dawg, I’m hungry
I guess you know what that mean, come up off that green
Rob niggas on Ravine, don’t make it a murder scene
Give a dog a bone, leave a dog alone
Let a dog roam and he’ll find his way home
Home of the brave, my home is a cage
And, yo, I’m a slave ’til my home is the grave
I’ma pull capers, it’s all about the papers
Bitches caught the vapors and now they wanna rape us

[Chorus]
Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop
Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll
Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop
Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll

[Verse 3]
Look what you done started, asked for it, you got it
Had it, shoulda shot it, now you’re dearly departed
Get at me, dawg, did I rip shit? With this one here I flip shit
Niggas know when I kick shit it’s gon’ be some slick shit
What was that look for when I walked in the door?
Oh, you thought you was raw? Boom, not anymore
‘Cause now you on the floor wishin’ you never saw
Me walk through that door with that four-four
Now it’s time for bed, two more to the head
Got the floor red, yeah, that nigga’s dead
Another unsolved mystery, it’s goin’ down in history
Niggas ain’t never did shit to me, bitch-ass niggas can’t get to me
Gots to make a move, got a point to prove
Gotta make ’em groove, got ’em all like, “Ooh”
So ’til the next time you hear this nigga rhyme
Try to keep your mind on gettin’ pussy and crime

[Chorus]
Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop

[Outro]
Talk is cheap, motherfucker!