This year is turning out to be full of surprises. It's safe to say that DMX doesn't have any Tony Yayo tracks in his playlist after the barking rapper spoke out against his fellow emcee. Initially, DMX shared that he wasn't a fan of Lloyd Banks during a conversation with Fat Man Scoop. "Lloyd Banks? Lyrical?" DMX asked. "Quote four bars. Impress me with four bars of his. It shouldn't be hard." Lloyd was made aware of X's remarks, and tried to figure out why he was being targeted by the rapper. Then, someone must have reminded DMX who Lloyd Banks actually was, because he admitted that he was really speaking about Tony Yayo when he made the remarks about Banks.

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Later, DMX issued a formal apology. "It takes a real n***a to admit when he's wrong..... My apologies to loyd banks I was thinking tony yayo when I was asked about banks. I f*ck with banks!" On Friday (May 29), the former G-Unit rapper took a moment to address the controversy over on Twitter. An unfazed Tony Yayo wrote, "Dmx a crack head who cares what he think," along with a crying laughing emoji. Check it out below.

Duality is one of hip-hop’s most rewarding themes. It presents the artist as a flawed and complex human being, gray in a spectrum of black and white. It allows the same artist to lay out their values and darkest urges as equals, forcing themselves to analyze both with thorough care. For some, the right path can be difficult to discern. Temptations can prove devastating. DMX knows that better than most. Fans of his debut album It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot understand his struggle, his ability to stay fixated on the Lord’s light. Songs like “Damien,” itself a masterclass in horrific storytelling, brilliantly outline DMX’s duel with evil incarnate. Yet that story unfolds in a traditional sense, one man’s encounter with the devil’s physical form. On “Stop Being Greedy,” that same conflict occurs from within.

There are two parallel manifestations of conflict on “Stop Being Greedy.” One comes courtesy of Dame Grease and P Killer Tracks’ instrumental, which alternates between two segments. The first, slightly mysterious yet relatively benign; the second, a hellish descent reminiscent of The Exorcist’s “Tubular Bells.” DMX uses both backdrops to bring his proverbial “angel” and “devil” to life. Like in “Damien,” his voice plays a pivotal role in fleshing out both perspectives. The former is almost approachable in its delivery, higher-pitched and even slightly tentative — only prone to react when provoked. The latter is the epitome of savage, a violent growl liable to snap in a violent fashion. As both the instrumental and cadential elements combine, “Stop Being Greedy” becomes somewhat of an emotional roller coaster.

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“I don’t like drama, so I stay to myself, keep focus with this rap shit and pray for the wealth,” he raps, his light side shining through. “I want the money, just give me the honeys with big asses, the most expensive champagne you got in big glasses.” His ambitions are basic, simple, admirable if a little shallow. An introvert dedicated to pursuing a rap career. Yet dark X returns immediately thereafter; “with a vengeance” is an understatement. “I’m broke so I’ma bash his head wide open, beggin’ me to stop, but at least he died hopin’,” he snarls, providing one of the most brutal punchlines of his career. “Didn’t get his wish, and now he’s a dish for the pack / two glowin’ red eyes, everything else is black.” The two sides couldn’t be further from one another. Yet somehow, X sounds more comfortable embracing the violence; it’s the reason why those sections are the payoff, while the lighter sections are the set-up.

“Stop Being Greedy” also benefits from having a few notable interpretations. As established, it can be seen as two sides of a man’s desires. His desire to thrive and excel in his environment, earning rap game success and material dominance. One of his earliest lines is most telling: “But when it gets dark, it’s like a n***a’s having dreams.” The first segue into the “darker” version of himself, these moments can be understood as light X’s nightmares, his fears that his devilish impulses might sabotage everything he’s earned thus far. Another interpretation is one viewed through the lens of foreshadowing. After all, this is the same album in which “Damien” walks away victorious, having secured X’s soul for his collection. In that case, “light” X is point A and “dark” X point B. The journey is linear, and his inner demons ultimately seize control of his destiny. While examining It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot as a conceptual whole, this interpretation explains how songs like “X Is Coming” can coexist alongside “The Prayer.” The story is not being told chronologically.

Remaining one of DMX’s defining works to this day, “Stop Being Greedy” highlights many of his strongest artistic assets. His ability to establish and develop different aspects of his personality. His mastery over cadence, an underrated aspect of emceeing. A brutal pen game, one that respects the gravity of violence. And most importantly — a complex character, unafraid to present his flaws and succumb to them. There’s a reason he’s considered so widely regarded in the pantheon of hip-hop greats. Whether you’re rooting for X to defeat his demons and gravitate toward the light, or eagerly beckoning him to embrace Damien like an old friend, “Stop Being Greedy” presents both paths as equally ble options.

Never has the old adage "can't we all just get along" felt more applicable. Battle fever appears to have stricken hip-hop's veterans, thanks to the masterminding presence of Swizz Beatz and Timbaland and their Verzuz initiative. With rappers already competitive in the best of times, the prospect of asserting dominance in a public forum has pushed a few over the edge -- including DMX, a man clearly comfortable in his legend role.

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With his sights set on Jay-Z, X had already brushed off Eminem as no threat before doing the same to Lloyd Banks, in an altogether more dismissive fashion. As Fatman Scoop proceeded to rattle off some of rap's lyrical greats, a list that included Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Eminem, and Lloyd Banks, X paused to single out the G-Unit rapper. "Lloyd Banks?" he questioned. "Lyrically? Top 4 bars. Impress me with four bars! Give me two!" 

It didn't take long for Banks to catch wind of X's comments, and while he was initially quick to shrug it off, he later decided to revisit the slight with his own theory. "So because I didn’t come to the studio to work when HE reached out..I’m not that good?" ponders Banks, his tears of joy indicative of his tone. After one fan turned the tables and asked what prompted him to snub a legend, Banks simply shifted the blame to logistics. I didn’t...I had a flight to catch." 

While it's unclear as to when this studio session was meant to go down, one has to wonder if it had to do with X's 50 Cent collaboration "Shot Down," which appeared on Grand Champ. In any case, one has to wonder if Banks' speculation holds true, and X is indeed nursing a grudge. After all, he did single out the PLK in a long list of names. 

During a conversation on Instagram Live, DMX questioned Fat Man Scoop's decision to place Lloyd Banks on a list of all-time great lyricists.

"Lloyd Banks? Lyrical?" he asked. "Quote four bars. Impress me with four bars of his. It shouldn't be hard."

When Fat Man Scoop failed to come up with any lyrics that stood out to him from the G-Unit soldier, DMX was somehow proven right. However, Lloyd Banks (and a bunch of angry hip-hop heads) has a bone to pick with him because of the comments. Constantly overlooked, Banks hopped onto Twitter with some kind words for X after hearing his stance.

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"Dogman is my guy and all but Wth DMX talkin bout lol @Lloydbanks," asked one fan on Twitter. "I have no clue..god bless him," replied the rapper.

Clearly, Lloyd Banks believes he belongs on a list of the best lyricists of all time, which isn't really that obscure of an opinion. For years, he proved to the world that he can write some of the slickest punch lines in hip-hop so why would he not deserve his spot on the list? It's not like he didn't come through every time he stepped into the booth...

What do you make of this? Does Lloyd Banks make your list?

Lloyd Banks seems to always get the short end of the stick. As a member of G-Unit, he was generally always playing second fiddle to 50 Cent. On all-time great hip-hop lists, he seems to never get the recognition he deserves and now, it looks like even his fellow emcees are taking his talents into questions.

For many hip-hop fans, Lloyd Banks can be considered one of the greatest punchline writers ever. He was seriously lyrical but, recently, one man called his entire career into question.

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Speaking to Fat Man Scoop on Instagram Live this weekend, DMX questioned Lloyd Banks’ prowess as a lyrical rapper, calling his name into concern after Scoop listed him as one of the best lyricists ever.

“Lloyd Banks? Lyrical?” asked DMX, seriously confused as to how his name even came up. 

“Lloyd Banks of course,” replied Scoop. “He had some of the illest lines ever.”

DMX then requested for Scoop to drop four of Lloyd Banks’ best bars of all-time and the man could not rack his brain hard enough to deliver any. Instead, he just continued counting down his favorites, slightly proving X’s point.

Do you believe DMX has a point or is Lloyd Banks one of the undisputed greatest lyricists ever? Skip to the 9-minute mark below.

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We may not know who DMX will go up against in a Verzuz battle, but the rapper certainly is ready for his moment to shine. The beloved rap icon has been vying for his spot on the increasingly popular Instagram Live series, and there has been much conversation about who will share a split-screen with the New York emcee. We know that DMX wants to take on Jay-Z, but there were rumors that Eminem was a contender after N.O.R.E. teased that a battle with the Detroit legend may have been in the making. However, Fat Joe doesn’t think that Eminem can be touched, and he told Noreaga just that on a recent episode of Drink Champs.

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“I don’t know who wanna battle Eminem,” Fat Joe said flatly. “I don’t think nobody can f*ck with Eminem. Nobody.” N.O.R.E. said that he believed DMX and Eminem “have the same crowd,” but Fat Joe still wasn’t swayed. “DMX got the biggest hits in the world, one of the greatest rappers of all time. Legendary, iconic, superhero, and everything I’m saying is understating him, he’s bigger than that,” Joe stated. “But there’s something about that white boy and his fans. Nah, bro. You want to see something cracking the internet? That n*gga David Koresh, n*gga. That n*gga different, bro!”

“Eminem was hot when we came out,” Fat Joe continued, adding that some of his fans are in their mid-forties as they’ve followed Eminem’s career from the beginning. “These white people teach their kids that are 10-years-old that Eminem’s the greatest. You go to the airports and 10-year-olds are playing his sh*t like 45-year-olds. Like it just came out right now. There’s a big difference with his boy….When you say generational wealth, they keep teaching their kids that he’s the man to the ultimate science.” Watch them debate Eminem’s reign a little after the 20-minute mark below.

Anyone who enjoys the competitive element of hip-hop, and let’s be honest that’s a large percentage, can appreciate a little bit of trash-talk now and again. And with Swizz Beatz and Timbaland‘s recently launched Verzuz series, the topic of hit-for-hit battles has raised many interesting debates. By now, you might have heard tell of a potential match-up between Eminem and DMX, with the former allegedly ready and willing to take up the challenge. At least, that’s what NORE seemed to suggest a while back, when he first unearthed the revelation. 

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For one reason or another, DMX didn’t seem entirely enthused with the prospect of going toe to toe with Slim Shady. In fact, he appears to have his sights set on another foe — his self-described “arch-nemesis” Jay-Z. Footage of a call between Swizzy and X reveal’s the legendary rapper’s position on the potential battle, and to call him confident would be an understatement — a fair position, given that DMX has quite an iconic repertoire of hits under his belt.

“What about Em? Em don’t want it,” laughs X. “Em don’t want it. I’d rather go for, you know, my arch-nemesis [Jay-Z]. He don’t gotta come outside, n***a, it’s in the house! You saying he don’t want to face me and play some records?” Swizz can be heard remarking that it’s a celebration, furthering X’s logic. “We celebrating music, and he got some hits too. He can play ‘Money Cash Hoes,’ I can play ‘Money Cash Hoes.’ Make it happen.” 

Would you agree with DMX’s position that he could score a decisive victory over Eminem? Or would he be better matched against Jay-Z? Either way, it’s fun to see rappers of this pedigree get caught up in the competitive spirit once again. Check it out for yourself below.

He's down for a Verzuz battle so it's only a matter of time before we see DMX on our Instagram Lives. Yet, who will go up against the barking emcee is still up for grabs as rumors circulate about his potential opponents. It wasn't confirmed that DMX and Eminem would face-off in a Verzuz, but somehow flyers began circulating online stating that the two respected artists would go toe-to-toe. N.O.R.E. shared a brief clip to social media that showed him along with a few others hanging out with X while the It's Dark and Hell Is Hot rapper discussed his forthcoming battle.

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DMX is seen in the video saying that Eminem won't want to participate in an Instagram Live Battle, but X wants to go up against his "arch-nemesis" Jay-Z. While it's unlikely that the Roc Nation mogul will participate as well, it's an idea that DMX has been quite vocal about. Earlier this month, while visiting Drink Champs, X told Noreaga that he wanted to go up against Jay...and he hasn't changed his mind.

"He ain't gotta come outside n*gga it's in the house!" DMX exclaims while speaking to what sounds to be Swizz Beatz on the phone. "You can't go in the basement and play some records?!... That's what I'm saying. That's why it should be done. It's a celebration. We're celebrating music. He got some hits, too! He can play 'Money, Cash, Hoes,' then I can play 'Money, Cash, Hoes,'" DMX said of his 1998, Swizz Beatz-produced collaboration with Jay-Z.

"Make it happen," DMX added. "That would be dope." Check out the video clip below and let us know if you think DMX and Jay-Z is a good matchup. 

There’s a simple charm in hearing Fat Joe reflect on hip-hop culture, as the Terror Squad emcee’s love for the craft is as wholesome as they come. Most recently, Joe has opened up and shared a few stories about his experience navigating the game, and he recently connected with the Drink Champs crew to reflect on the possibility of an Eminem Vezuz battle — as well as his predicted outcome.

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“I don’t know who want to battle Eminem,” warns Joe, after EFN suggests Busta Rhymes would be a worthy opponent. “I don’t think nobody can fuck with Eminem.” When NORE counters with DMX, who was recently offered that exact battle by Swizz Beatz, Joe doubles down. “DMX got the biggest hits in the world, one of the greatest rappers of all time. Legendary, iconic, superhero. And everything I’m saying is understating, he’s bigger than that. But there’s something about that white boy and his fans — nah bro, you want to see something cracking the internet? That n***a David Koresh, that n***a different!”

“Eminem was hot when we came out,” continues Joe. “His fans from day one are forty, forty-five years old. These white people teach their kids that Eminem is the greatest. You go to the airports and ten-year-olds are playing his shit…There’s a big difference with his boy. When you say generational wealth, they keep teaching their kids that he’s the man to the ultimate science.”

He also takes a moment to marvel at Em’s work ethic, which he experienced first hand. “Eminem’s the only guy that sent me the ‘Lean Back’ remix, he sent me that same verse thirty times. Saying it with a different tone, a lighter tone. He wouldn’t make up his mind — thirty different takes and verses! The same verse! Different flows, different highs, lows. I don’t know what to tell you, this guy is such a perfectionist!” 

A few weeks back, DMX offered up an open challenge to his former collaborator Jay-Z, inviting the legendary rapper to partake in a Verzuz battle. While the offer was ultimately unanswered, the debate that ensued served as a reminder of both artist’s respective legacies — though consensus seemed to favor Jay-Z and his relentless, classic-filled catalog. In any case, Swizz Beatz has remained interested in finding an opponent for X, and Noreaga recently teased that one may have been found in Eminem.

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“This moment is so Legend,” captions N.O.R.E, alongside an image of himself and DMX. “3 minutes before this @therealswizzz CALLS X and says Eminem is down for that smoke and X SAY HE CAN GET BUT I STILL WANT JAY HAHA SO CLASSIC BEHIND THE SCENES SHIT SORRY IF I WASNT POST TO SAY NOTHING but I had to DMX VS SLIM SHADY??? What y’all think??? I’m riding wit the DOG!!!”

Though X remains set on Jay-Z, the idea of seeing the “Go To Sleep” collaborators reuniting for a spirited Instagram duel of the hits would be a monumental occurrence indeed. It would certainly be interesting to see how Eminem would prepare for a battle against DMX; would he arrange his setlist to feature some of his darker, grimier cuts? We could only hope. When we asked fans which of the two had the better debut album a few years ago, the ensuing discussion proved that the pair were indeed well matched. Were they two face off in modern times, who would you place your money on?