Been To War
by DMX (featuring French Montana & Swizz Beatz)

Album: Godfather of Harlem soundtrack (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Been To War" is a collaboration between DMX, French Montana and Swizz Beatz, written for season 2 of the Epix series Godfather of Harlem. The song is from the perspective of the show's protagonist, Bumpy Johnson, played by Forest Whitaker. Johnson was a real-life drug lord until his death (from natural causes) in 1968 at age 62. In the song, DXM and French Montana trade verses about doing jail time, staying above the law, and vanquishing enemies. "We can go to war all summer," DMX promises in his first verse.
  • The song was released on April 16, 2021, just a week after DMX died at age 50. Season 2 of Godfather of Harlem premiered two days later.

    DMX and Swizz Beatz go way back. Both were part of the Ruff Ryders collective and they rose up the ranks together, with Swizz producing the 1998 hit "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" from DMX' debut album. "Been To War" has the hallmarks of their work, with Swizz' thumping, military-style production, and DMX' hardcore rapping and signature "what!"

    Swizz curated the music for Godfather of Harlem; in season 1, he teamed with DMX and Rick Ross for the track "Just In Case," which came with a video starring Forest Whitaker.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the Song

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?