DMX's Fervent Supplications Are Revitalized in Posthumous Album titled 'Let Us Pray: Chapter X'
DMX wasn't shy about expressing his religious beliefs in his music throughout his career. His albums frequently featured prayers, where the renowned rapper would ponder over life, death, and his role in the world. Now, these prayers are living on in a new form as part of a posthumous project called Let Us Pray: Chapter X.
On this album, Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Warryn Campbell takes DMX's spoken-word monologues and turns them into new, music-accompanied prayers. Artists such as Snoop Dogg, Killer Mike, and MC Lyte have contributed to the project in DMX's memory.
Campbell described working on Let Us Pray: Chapter X as one of the most gratifying creative experiences he's ever had. "When you hear DMX's voice, it instantly sparks creativity," he said in a statement. "What better way to showcase who X truly was than through prayer? I believe that I can speak for Snoop Dogg, Killer Mike, MC Lyte, LeCrae, Mary Mary, Lena Byrd Miles, and Terrace Martin when I say it was an honor and privilege to be a part of this incredible project."
Although DMX never released overtly gospel music or collaborated with gospel artists like Mary Mary and Lena Byrd Miles, he did record an album that showcased his faith in a way that was uncommon in the industry. According to Rolling Stone, in 2008, while residing in Arizona, X recorded and compiled Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later, a double album that included one side of hip-hop tracks and another side of completely clean, spiritual lyrics. "No songs about h***es, no songs about robbing, just straight 'Give God the glory,'" X supposedly said at the time.
DMX: Don’t Try to Understand, a documentary that explores his life following his 2019 prison release, is currently available to stream on Max.
The project, Let Us Pray: Chapter X, showcases DMX's spiritual side in a unique way, drawing the attention of prominent artists like Snoop Dogg, Killer Mike, and MC Lyte. Despite primarily focusing on hip-hop, DMX also delved into gospel music, releasing an album in 2008 titled Walk With Me Now and You’ll Fly With Me Later, which featured spiritual lyrics and was praised for its faith-centered content.