DMX Is Back With Def Jam, Signing New Deal

DMX is back where he solidified his legendary career in the first place.

A source at Def Jam has confirmed with XXL that the former Ruff Ryders rapper has signed a new record deal with the historic rap label.

During the late 1990s through the early 2000s, DMX was one of Def Jam’s top-selling artists. He released five albums overall for the label, including his two classic LPs, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, which were both released months apart from each other in 1998.

Since his release from a West Virginia prison in January after serving a one-year prison sentence for tax evasion, the rap veteran has been staying busy performing at old-school rap shows and recording music with longtime collaborator and friend Swizz Beatz. You can currently hear X on the Swizzy-produced track "Just in Case," which features Rick Ross. The song is the opening theme for Epix’s upcoming new series Godfather of Harlem.

Swizz recently confirmed the news of DMX's re-signing during his interview with Power 105.1.'s The Breakfast Club. The veteran producer feels that X's new deal will bring him back to prominence.

"It's going to be a good year for him, god willing," Swizzy said. "I just want it to happen so he can go to where he been supposed to have went."

Swizz acknowledges that X has been out of the spotlight because "he wasn't in his right form," but says that his fans are still very supportive of DMX.

"He missed a lot of time, but you know what, those people still show up to them shows," he added. "He does something different with them."

Check out Swizz Beatz announcing that DMX signed with Def Jam again below.