It's been just over a year since the world lost DMX, but his legacy has proven to be stronger than ever thanks to his iconic catalogue and untouchable stage presence.
That stage presence was never more apparent than in what has perhaps become his most famous live performance, which took place in front of 200,000 screaming fans at Woodstock '99 nearly 23 years ago.
For context, the previous year saw X become the first debut artist to release two number 1 albums in the same year, so his momentum and hype heading into this performance was palpable.
Woodstock '99 itself was a catastrophic failure by all accounts, but the festival's lone shining light was X completely tearing the stage apart with an audience of 200,000 people chanting back the rapper's lyrics.
This performance was a microcosm of X's place in not only hip-hop, but in pop culture in general. Through all the chaos, through all the noise, and in the nearly 40 degree heat, X's truth prevailed.
He represented a side to hip-hop that counter-balanced the 'shiny-suit era' of the late 90's. He was raw and unapologetic, becoming a champion of the working class who were desperately searching for someone to take up the mantle in a post-Pac era.
He will forever be missed, but never forgotten. RIP DMX.
