DMX Enthralls Rap Fans in High-Energy Show

On last summer’s hugely successful “Hard Knock Life Tour,” DMX established himself as rap’s most exciting superstar performer.

With the new “Ruff Ryders/Cash Money Tour,” which stopped Saturday at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, the Yonkers, N.Y., rapper made it clear that he’s not about to relinquish the title.

To open his 45-minute set, DMX descended from a cage that was suspended high over the stage. After exiting the holding cell, the bald-headed rapper growled, “Y’all ready to get this [show] started for real?” Judging by the deafening roar from the capacity crowd, it was.

With only a huge, illuminated “X” and a deejay backing him, DMX ripped through 16 selections, frantically sprinting around the stage, never letting his energy fade. The force of his bare-bones approach works extremely well with his music. The combination makes his performance spellbinding.

Fire blasts backed DMX during “What’s My Name?,” but DMX was the one raising the temperature on the chilly night.

Unfortunately, none of the other acts on the bill--including Juvenile, B.G., Lil’ Wayne, LOX and Drag-On--came close to matching his heat.

The Cash Money Millionaires--as the Cash Money record label artists call themselves--combined for an uninspired 45-minute sequence.

Where DMX goes for the jugular, Juvenile, B.G., Lil’ Wayne and the Big Tymers head for the bank account, championing the material spoils of their newfound fame.

An enormous platinum watch served as the New Orleans crew’s backdrop, but as soon as they took the stage, it became obvious that the crew relies more on flash than skill when performing.

The most lively portion of their set came during a “Back That Azz Up” contest, which was inspired by the immensely popular Juvenile song of the same name. A substantial procession of women were pulled from the audience to demonstrate their exotic dancing skills. Five winners joined Cash Money on stage as they performed the song.

Drag-On and LOX, two Ruff Ryders acts, delivered sets that were fewer than 15 minutes each, but the brevity of their stage time was deserved, as neither act was able to generate any excitement.

Though the tickets suggested a 6 p.m. start time, the first musical act didn’t reach the stage until nearly 8:30. Comedian TK Kirkland tried to keep the crowd entertained for part of that time, but it wasn’t an adequate substitute for the rapping. The evening’s other disappointment was the unexplained absence of Eve, one of the show’s three top draws.