Fans of late 1990s hip-hop have been pondering whether or not they would ever see the reunion of one of that era’s most famed crews; the Ruff Ryders. The hard-core hip-hop label was at its peak as the decade ended and the new millennium dawned, but fell on hard times due to the departures of some artists and the arrests of others. Producer Swizz Beatz was a major part of Ruff Ryders’ success, and he spoke recently about whether or not the label’s biggest group, the LOX, would be reuniting to work on a project.
“It started off as a great concept, but you know, I’mma leave that up to [group members] Styles, ‘Kiss and Sheek,” Swizz told MTV’s Sway Calloway. “We already like 10 joints in, and Khaled definitely has an ear for music and especially bringing along those collaborations, which I think could be a strong point for the LOX. But it’s [whatever] the LOX think.”
Swizz added that he thinks the project will work, but remained ambiguous about his own involvement with it.
Though it remains unclear if an actual full-fledged Ruff Ryders reunion will happen, Swizz is happy to work with the label’s linchpin, troubled hip-hop veteran DMX.
“Everything is DMX for me right now,” Swizz said during an appearance on “RapFix Live.” “It’s my main focus because it’s what started everything. So, if I don’t focus on that, then it’s just not right.”
Swizz produced the lion’s share of DMX’s hits during the rapper’s heyday, and the superproducer says that he isn’t worried about X delivering great music again.
“He’s been going through a lot of different things but … he’s DMX! He’s good; he’s in good vibes,” Swizz stated. “But wait until y’all hear this music though — y’all gon’ really know how he is. We working hard on that and I can’t wait. I can’t wait.”
