Cradle 2 The Grave Soundtrack
CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE, which features "music from and inspired by" the action film of the same name, is a tough, well-put-together collection of aggressive East Coast hip-hop that perfectly mirrors the gritty urban setting of the movie. The disc opens with a ferocious duo of tracks featuring DMX (who stars in CRADLE TO THE GRAVE with martial arts master Jet Li). "X Gonna Give It To Ya" is classic DMX: all rough, snarling vocals, rock-hard beats, and plenty of barking. "Go To Sleep," a collaborative effort with Eminem, is a brutal, cinematic gangsta track that may shock those only familiar with the rapper's poppier side.
There's also Foxy Brown's "My Life," which chillingly examines hip-hop's blurring of fantasy and reality when it comes to violence, and "What's It All For" by Bazaar Royale, which uses a heavy guitar sample from neo-grunge rockers CKY, recalling Public Enemy's classic early-'90s collaborations with Anthrax. Unlike many soundtrack albums, which appear to be cobbled together simply to make a few extra bucks, CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE is an extremely cohesive album and may even emerge as a more substantial work than the film itself.
No matter his acting abilities, DMX was a natural for the silver screen. Ever since his album debut, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, the former Earl Simmons has flaunted a flare for the dramatic, and his work ethic is one of the toughest in hip-hop. He must have been especially busy filming, since the soundtrack for Cradle 2 the Grave, his first starring turn (with Jet Li), has only three features for DMX himself. Taking up the slack, fortunately, are some of the hottest rappers circa 2003: Eminem, with a track featuring DMX as well, plus 50 Cent, Foxy Brown, Clipse, and Drag-On. The lead-off track is DMX's own "X Gon' Give It to Ya," a typically grandiose contribution that compares pretty well to the rest of his work but doesn't sound too special. Eminem's self-produced "Go to Sleep" is an extremist (even for him) murder fantasy that goes down in a hail of screams and bullets, while "My Life (Cradle 2 the Grave)" finds Foxy Brown turning curiously reflective (and more than just a bit poignant). Surprisingly, amidst the raft of big names, DMX affiliate Drag-On steals one of the best tracks, "Fireman," an offkilter track that blows through a pair of contrasting percussion lines, borrowing from "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and "Pusherman," but sounds completely original nevertheless. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide