What does 4, 3, 2, 1 sound like?

A gritty, unyielding fusion of hardcore beats and aggressive lyricism showcasing DMX's raw vocal power. Rooted in gangsta rap and hardcore hip-hop. Start with "4, 3, 2, 1 (E-dub remix 6) (radio edit)".

Is 4, 3, 2, 1 a good place to start with DMX?

Yes, 4, 3, 2, 1 is recommended as a starting point for new DMX listeners. A gritty, unyielding fusion of hardcore beats and aggressive lyricism showcasing DMX's raw vocal power. In 1997, DMX was on the rise following his debut album 'It's Dark and Hell Is Hot'. '4, 3, 2, 1' served as a prominent single that solidified his place in the East Coast hip-hop scene during a period when he was capturing mainstream attention.

Who is 4, 3, 2, 1 for?

4, 3, 2, 1 works well if you're into explosive energy for parties, fragmented pacing for active listening and varied remixes encourage replay.

4, 3, 2, 1

DMX · 1997

6 tracks · gangsta rap

A gritty, unyielding fusion of hardcore beats and aggressive lyricism showcasing DMX's raw vocal power.

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Top tracks — play these first

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4, 3, 2, 1 (E-dub remix 6) (radio edit) Start here — This version captures the energy of the original while making it accessible for radio play, showcasing DMX's commanding presence alongside other rap legends.
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4, 3, 2, 1 (E-dub remix 4) (regular version) — The regular version highlights the raw intensity of DMX's delivery and showcases the song's powerful beat, making it a fan favorite.
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4, 3, 2, 1 (E-dub remix) (instrumental) — The instrumental allows listeners to appreciate the complex production behind the track and emphasizes the strong rhythmic foundation that supports DMX's lyrics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The single showcases DMX's powerful delivery and strong production but lacks cohesion due to multiple versions.

What we noticed

The track features a heavy bassline and aggressive percussion that drive the rhythm forward.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

explosive energy for parties
fragmented pacing for active listening
varied remixes encourage replay
hard-hitting beats for workouts

Maybe skip if you

prefer smooth, continuous flow
seek lyrical storytelling depth

Where this album fits

Themes: late '90s hip-hop· East Coast grit· collaborative energy
Career context: In 1997, DMX was on the rise following his debut album 'It's Dark and Hell Is Hot'. '4, 3, 2, 1' served as a prominent single that solidified his place in the East Coast hip-hop scene during a period when he was capturing mainstream attention.
Stylistic neighbors: Nas· Jay-Z· 50 Cent