Cradle 2 the Grave (soundtrack)

Cradle 2 the Grave
Soundtrack album by Various artists
Released	February 18, 2003
Recorded	2002
Genre	Hardcore Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop
Label	Bloodline, Def Jam
Producer	Tony Pizarro, DMX, Dame Grease, Eminem, Mannie Fresh, Sha Money XL, DJ Envy, Elite

Cradle 2 the Grave is the official soundtrack to the film of the same name starring DMX and Jet Li. It was released on February 18, 2003 through Bloodline Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album featured production from some of hip hop's top producers including, Tony Pizarro, DMX, Dame Grease, Eminem, Mannie Fresh, Sha Money XL and DJ Envy. The soundtrack was very successful, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard 200, number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 1 on the Top Soundtracks, also the soundtrack included DMX's single, "X Gon' Give It to Ya". "Go To Sleep" has been used as the entrance song to UFC fighters Sam Stout and Dan Cramer. The soundtrack was also certified gold by the RIAA on May 19, 2003, with over 500,000 copies sold.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
RapReviews

AllMusic writer John Bush found the opening track up there with the rest of DMX's work but said it "doesn't sound too special." He added that he was surprised by the contributions from Foxy Brown and Drag-On, saying that "My Life (Cradle 2 the Grave)" had Brown being "curiously reflective (and more than just a bit poignant)" and the samples of The Temptations and Marvin Gaye used on "Fireman" make it "sound[s] completely original." Steve Juon of RapReviews said, "Taken as a whole Cradle 2 the Grave is about par for most compilations, soundtrack or otherwise, released in the last twelve months. With a few nice surprises [...] this soundtrack is slightly better than most. It's not an overwhelming success, but it's good enough to ensure that DMX fans won't be calling for his head if the movie tanks."

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"X Gon' Give It to Ya" (DMX)	E. Simmons, S. King	Shatek	3:39
2.	"Go to Sleep" (Eminem, Obie Trice, DMX)	E. Simmons, L. Resto, M. Mathers, O. Trice, S. King	Eminem	4:42
3.	"What's It All for?" (Bazaar Royale)	C. Ginsburg, D. Miller, J. Margera, S. King	Shatek	3:50
4.	"Follow Me Gangster" (G-Unit)	C. Lloyd, C. Jackson, K. Frazier, M. Bernard, M. Clervoix, S. Dorsian, V. Montana Jr.	Reemo, Lost Spirit, Sha Money XL (add.)	3:31
5.	"Stompdashitoutu" (C.N.N. featuring M.O.P.)	E. Randle, E. Murray, F. Wilcox, J. Griannage, J. Shaw, K. Holley, T. Pizarro, V. Santiago	Flip Matrix, Tony Pizarro	3:03
6.	"Do Sumptin" (Comp)	J. McElveen, J. Carter, L. Austin	Jay Funk, Leroy Austin (co.)	4:08
7.	"My Life (Cradle 2 the Grave)" (Foxy Brown featuring Althea)	A. Thompson, B. Jackson, E. Townsend, G. Marchand, I. Marchand	Gavin Marchand	4:15
8.	"Fireman" (Drag-On)	A. Parrino, B. Strong, C. Mayfield, M. Smalls, N. Whitfield	Elite	2:56
9.	"Drop Drop" (Joe Budden)	J. Kuleszynski, J. Budden	White Boy	4:17
10.	"I'm Serious" (Clipse)	G. Thornton, L. Porter, T. Thornton	Paperchase Inc.	4:12
11.	"Right/Wrong" (DMX)	E. Simmons, R. Casey, R. Thybulle	DJ Envy, Mono	3:46
12.	"It's Gon' Be What It's Gon' Be" (Jinx da Juvy, Loose)	A. Lewis, B. Holland, D. Pelzer, E. Holland, K. Clarke, S. Odom	Konkrete Kaos	3:01
13.	"Hand That Rocks the Cradle" (Big Stan)	D. Joyner, D. Blackman	Dame Grease	4:13
14.	"Won't Be Coming Back" (Birdman (aka Baby))	B. Williams, B. Thomas, L. Richie	Mannie Fresh	4:10
15.	"C2G" (Fat Joe featuring Young N Restless)	J. Cartagena, R. Montero, R. Santanna, S. King	Shatek	4:13
16.	"Focus" (Kashmir)	E. Lomax, J. Russ	Mac G	3:56
17.	"Slangin' Dem Thangs" (Profit)	F. Massey, L. Duminie, L. Creed, R. Rangel, T. Bell	Kato	4:40
18.	"Off the Hood" (Jinx da Juvy)	D. Carr, M. Leather, S. Campbell	The Architects	4:09

Bonus track

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
19.	"Getting Down" (DMX, Kashmir, Bazaar Royale)	C. Sandford, D. Joyner, E. Simmons, E. Lomax, R. Casey, R. Thybulle	DJ Envy, Mono	2:56