Word just got out that DMX is working on a new album that will apparently feature Swizz Beatz, Kanye West, and Dr. Dre. The news comes shortly after DMX made headlines for making a surprise appearance on Drake's VIEWS, as two of his classic tracks were sampled on "U With Me?", produced by 40 and Kanye West. Upon noticing the samples, many wondered how Drake was able to clear the samples of both "What These Bitches Want" and "How's It Goin' Down," as it was thought that DMX despised him.
In early 2012, DMX voiced his opinions on Drake during an interview with The Breakfast Club, and his hatred of the OVO leader could not have been more palpable. "I don’t like anything about Drake. I don’t like his fucking voice. I don’t like what he talks about. I don't like his face. I don’t like the way he walks, nothing. I don't like his haircut. I might just--," growled X, before catching himself, "Lemme shut up. I'm gonna stop right there."
Drake also earned the ire of X when he had revealed plans of putting together a posthumous Aaliyah album, which never ended up surfacing. Four years later, though, X's voice can be heard on Drake's new album, which apparently sold 630,000 copies in one night. The details of how the samples made it onto the album aren't exactly clear yet, but according to famed New York emcee N.O.R.E., X effectively gave Drake and 40 permission to use his records (presumably for a fat check, though).
In an interview with VIBE in late 2013, 40 expressed his desire to work with a select few New York vets, N.O.R.E. being one of them. N.O.R.E. was appreciative of 40's remarks, and it seems that's when he developed something of a rapport with the OVO producer. Regardless if they'll ever release a collaboration, N.O.R.E. apparently acted as the intermediary between Drake's camp and DMX and is thus responsible for X allowing his samples to be cleared for VIEWS.
It would be surprising if DMX were a Drake fan now, though his feelings of rancor have likely softened. Either that, or he was in dire need of a check.
As evidenced by the below tweet, N.O.R.E. will soon provide an account on how he was able to conduct business between Drake and DMX -- hopefully via his highly entertaining podcast.
