Hell and Back is the second studio album by rapper Drag-On.[1] It was released on February 10, 2004 for Virgin Records and featured production from the likes of Swizz Beatz and Rockwilder. Hell and Back was not as successful as his previous album, only peaking at number 47 on the Billboard 200, however it did fare better on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, peaking at number 5.
Due to the disappointing album sales Drag-On was quickly dropped from Virgin Records
AllMusic editor Andy Kellman found the album to be lackluster compared to Opposite of H2O, criticizing the producers and Drag-On's label mates for crafting uninspired beats and lyrics.[2]Jon Caramanica, writing for Rolling Stone, commended Drag-On for emulating DMX's world-weary flow and fine-tuning his lyricism but felt that he squandered it when either compared to the album's guest artists or delivering generic party tracks.[3]Vibe writer Laura Checkoway praised the combination of Drag-On's vocal delivery over idiosyncratic production and his attempts at lyrical growth on "My First Child" and "Life Is Short", despite diverting away from that established blueprint, concluding that "Hell and Back is still a trip worthwhile."[4]
