Ruff Ryders, the production team behind
DMX's first two platinum-plus albums, made their bid for superstardom with Ryde or Die, Vol. 1. The trio appeared to be following the blueprint of No Limit's
Master P: they've formed their own label, assembled a cast of wide-ranging acts under its umbrella, and surrounded them with a variety of productions by
Ruff Ryders associates like
Swizz Beatz and
DJ Clue? Ryde or Die, Vol. 1 features tracks from established names like
the LOX,
Jay-Z,
Jermaine Dupri,
Big Pun,
Mase, and
DMX himself, plus new signees to the label like
Eve and
Drag-On. Though several of the track productions are excellent (including the New Orleans horns of "Down Bottom," featuring native-born
Juvenile, and the
salsa rhythms on "What Ya Want"), the album suffers elsewhere by trying to be everything to everyone. It's got a few hardcore tracks, a few bounce tracks, and a few midtempo
r&b tracks, but it's far too scattershot and never jells as it should (two complaints often lodged against No Limit albums). The team saves their best productions for
DMX spotlights: the minute-long "Bugout" and the title track. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
