What These Bitches Want cover

What These Bitches Want

DMX · 2000

8 min · 3 tracks · gangsta rap

A gritty blend of raw lyrics and melodic hooks that captures the struggles and complexities of urban life.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    What These B*****s Want — This track features a compelling interplay between DMX’s tough persona and Sisqo’s smooth chorus, creating an engaging contrast that highlights themes of desire and struggle.
  • →
    What You Want — The radio edit showcases DMX's ability to craft catchy hooks while maintaining his trademark intensity, making it accessible without losing authenticity.
  • →
    Ruff Riders Anthem — Originally from his debut album, its inclusion here underscores DMX's roots and his role in establishing the Ruff Ryders collective, cementing his legacy in hip-hop.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases DMX's lyrical style and production typical of its era but lacks depth across its brief tracklist.

What we noticed

  • The title track features a call-and-response structure between DMX and a female vocalist, creating a dynamic interplay.
  • The production employs a heavy bass line and layered samples, typical of late '90s East Coast hip-hop.
  • The radio edit of the lead single is shorter and more polished, contrasting with the rawness of the explicit version.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This single solidified DMX's mainstream success after his impactful 1998 releases.
Themes
street desire· Ruff Ryders legacy
Career context
Released on June 13, 2000, this album marked DMX's transition into mainstream success following his breakthrough year in 1998 with two chart-topping albums. By this time, he was solidifying his status as a leading figure in hip-hop, building on the momentum from hits like 'Ruff Ryders' Anthem' and 'Party Up (Up In Here)'.
Stylistic neighbors
Nas· Jay-Z· 50 Cent
New to DMX? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 What You Want (radio edit) 4:08
  • 2 What These B*****s Want (explicit album version) 4:13
  • 3 Ruff Riders Anthem (taken from It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot)

What to play next

The Great Depression
Listen next

The Great Depression

2001

Continues the gritty themes and raw energy while expanding on DMX's narrative style.
... And Then There Was X
Go back to

... And Then There Was X

1999

Leads into a similar sound and lyrical depth, setting the stage for the next chapter.
Full DMX discography Where to start with DMX Artists like DMX
East Coast hip-hop gangsta rap hardcore hip-hop

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

Get Rich or Die Tryin'

50 Cent

Shares gritty storytelling of urban struggle with catchy hooks and a polished production style.

The Blueprint

The Blueprint

Jay-Z

Captures the complexities of street life with a blend of introspective lyrics and soulful samples.

Stillmatic

Stillmatic

Nas

Explores themes of resilience and street authenticity, combining raw lyricism with rich production.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata