Key Takeaways
- DMX's 1998 album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood is available on Complex as a special blood-filled vinyl edition for $99.98.
- The collectible double LP features red liquid sealed inside the records, creating a blood-like effect as they spin on a turntable.
- The release pays tribute to the iconic cover from DMX’s triple platinum sophomore album, which features DMX posing in a bathtub filled with 60 gallons of fake blood, shot by photographer Jonathan Mannion.
Halloween is getting a little bloodier this year, thanks to a new vinyl release of DMX's Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood that was released today, exclusively on Complex.
The late rapper's classic 1998 album has been reissued as a special double LP featuring blood-red liquid sealed inside the records. The liquid moves around as the vinyl spins, creating a gruesome visual effect that's perfectly suited to the album's dark aesthetic. The collectible pressing is available now on Complex for $99.98, along with previously-released “Blood Spatter” and “Red” vinyl editions.
Originally released in December 1998, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood featured one of the most unforgettable covers in rap history: a shirtless DMX standing with his arms outstretched, covered in blood. The image was captured by legendary hip-hop photographer Jonathan Mannion, who went to extraordinary lengths to bring his vision to life.
According to Mannion, the shoot involved filling a bathtub with 60 gallons of fake blood. Despite its gruesome appearance, Mannion later explained that the image wasn't simply meant to evoke violence or horror. The blood represented spiritual protection and faith, while the stark white backdrop reflected DMX's deeply religious side. The result captured both the darkness and vulnerability that defined much of his music.
The album itself arrived during an extraordinary run for the Yonkers rapper. Released less than eight months after his debut, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, it debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, giving DMX two chart-topping albums in 1998. The 16-track project included classics like "Slippin'," "No Love 4 Me," and "Blackout," featuring Jay-Z and The LOX.
Nearly three decades later, the new blood-filled pressing brings Mannion's unforgettable imagery to life in a whole new way. And despite its horror-movie appearance, the double LP is fully playable, with the liquid safely sealed inside the records.
