It was 2000. DMX was arguably the biggest force in hip-hop, a snarling, barking, prayer-uttering phenomenon who somehow made vulnerability sound terrifying. When the second single from ... And Then There Was X hit the airwaves, nobody really expected a roll call. But that is exactly what we got. The song, officially titled "What These Bitches Want," became an instant staple of the era, though most people just refer to it by the hook.
If you grew up in that era, you remember the radio edit. It was basically three minutes of silence punctuated by "What these... want from a..." because the censors couldn't keep up. But the uncensored version? That was a masterpiece of storytelling and frustration. It wasn't just a club track. It was a chaotic, exhausted venting session about the price of fame and the complexity of his own personal life.
What These B Want DMX Lyrics: More Than Just a List
People focus on the bridge. You know the one. It’s the part where X starts listing names like he’s reading a phone book from the late 90s. Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia. It sounds like a joke to some, or a boast to others. Honestly, though? It was a confession.
DMX wasn't just bragging about having women. He was talking about the absolute mess of his interpersonal relationships while the world was watching him. The song features Sisqó on the hook, providing a smooth, melodic contrast to X’s gravelly delivery. It’s that "beauty and the beast" dynamic that worked so well for Ruff Ryders in that period. Sisqó asks the central question—what do they want?—and DMX spends three verses trying to figure out if it's love, money, or just the association with his name.
The Famous Name Drop Breakdown
Let's talk about that list. It isn't just a random assortment of names that happened to rhyme. Well, some of them definitely rhymed, but the sheer volume of them—well over 40 names if you count the variations—served a purpose. It showcased the overwhelming nature of his lifestyle at the time.
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You’ve got:
- "There was Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia..."
- "Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Tanya..."
- "Kiki, Reese, Tyra, Tai..."
It goes on and on. It’s almost rhythmic, like a chant. Some fans have spent decades trying to track down if these were real people in Earl Simmons' life. While he never confirmed every single name was a specific individual, he did admit in various interviews over the years that his life was "crowded." He was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve and his sins on his face. This wasn't a rapper trying to look cool; it was a man drowning in his own popularity.
The Production Magic of Nokio and Dru Hill
A lot of the credit for why this song still hits in 2026 goes to Nokio from Dru Hill. He produced it. He understood that you couldn't just give DMX a "pretty" beat. It had to have some grit. The bassline is heavy, swaying, almost hypnotic. It feels like a late-night drive through Yonkers or Baltimore.
When you look at what these b want dmx lyrics, you have to look at the second verse specifically. This is where he gets into the "game" of it all. He talks about women trying to set him up or get him caught in legal situations. It’s paranoid. It’s dark. It reflects the reality of a superstar who came from nothing and suddenly had everyone's hand in his pocket. He mentions his "thirst for the dirt," a recurring theme in his discography where he acknowledges his own self-destructive tendencies. He wasn't blaming the women entirely; he was admitting he was an active participant in the chaos.
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Why the Lyrics Still Resonate Today
Music changes fast. Trends die. But "What These Bitches Want" hasn't aged a day. Why? Because the central theme is universal. It’s about the struggle to find something genuine in an environment built on artifice.
DMX was a "street" rapper, but he was also a soul singer in a way. He felt everything deeply. When he growls about being tired of the lies, you believe him. You don't just hear the words; you feel the exhaustion in his vocal cords. The lyrics are a time capsule of 1999/2000 aesthetics, but the emotion is timeless.
Also, let's be real—the "Brenda, LaTisha" part is just fun to recite. It’s a challenge. If you can name every girl in that bridge without stumbling, you’ve earned your hip-hop stripes. It’s one of those rare moments in music history where a list became a cultural landmark.
Misconceptions About the Song’s Meaning
Some critics at the time dismissed it as misogynistic. If you look at the surface, sure, the title is provocative. But if you actually listen to the verses, it’s a song about confusion. It’s a song about a man who doesn't understand why people are treating him like a commodity rather than a human being.
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He asks: "Is it the money? Is it the fame?"
He’s searching for an answer he never quite finds. That’s the tragedy of DMX. He spent his whole career looking for peace and genuine connection, often in places that couldn't provide it. This song is just one chapter in that saga. It’s a document of a man at the peak of his power feeling utterly alone in a room full of people.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you're digging back into the DMX discography or trying to analyze the impact of this track, there are a few things you should do to get the full picture of what was happening during that "Ruff Ryders" era.
- Watch the Music Video: Directed by Hype Williams, it’s a masterclass in early 2000s lighting and style. It features the iconic "X" formations and captures the high-energy, high-gloss world DMX was navigating.
- Listen to the Album Transitions: DMX albums were meant to be heard as a whole. Listen to the skit before and the track after "What These Bitches Want" on ... And Then There Was X. It provides the context of his mindset—a mix of aggression and deep spirituality.
- Check Out the Live Versions: DMX was a legendary performer. Seeing him perform this song live—often shirtless, dripping in sweat, with thousands of people chanting the names along with him—changes how you perceive the lyrics. It becomes a communal experience rather than a solo complaint.
- Compare to "How’s It Goin' Down": If you want to see the softer side of DMX's storytelling regarding women, listen to this track from his first album. It shows he wasn't always just frustrated; he was capable of great tenderness.
The legacy of these lyrics isn't just in the names or the beat. It's in the honesty. DMX didn't have a filter, and "What These Bitches Want" is the loudest example of what happens when you let the world see your messy, complicated, and very public life. He wasn't just a rapper; he was a mirror.
To truly understand the weight of the song, look at his later interviews where he discussed his regrets and his longing for his family. It puts the "list" in a completely different light. It wasn't a list of conquests; it was a list of distractions that kept him from where he truly wanted to be.
When you recite those names next time the beat drops, remember the man behind the growl was just trying to find a way home.