How's It Goin' Down

"How's It Goin' Down" is a song by American rapper DMX, released as the fourth and final single from his first album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. The song features vocals by R&B singer Faith Evans and was released to radio on June 9, 1998. The song was a modest hit, peaking at No. 70 on the Billboard Hot 100. It contains a sample of "God Make Me Funky" by the Headhunters from the 1975 album, Survival of the Fittest.

"How's It Goin' Down"
Single by DMX featuring Faith Evans
from the album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
B-side	"Ruff Ryders' Anthem"
Released	June 9, 1998 (1998-06-09)
Recorded	April 1998
Genre	East Coast hip hop
Length	4:42
Label	Ruff Ryders Def Jam
Songwriter(s)	Simmons Anthony Fields
Producer(s)	P.K.
DMX singles chronology
""Ruff Ryders' Anthem" (1998) "How's It Goin' Down" (1998) "Grand Finale" (1998)
Faith Evans singles chronology
"I'll Be Missing You" (1997) "How's It Goin' Down" (1998) "Love Like This" (1998)

Music video

Directed by Hype Williams, the music video provides a visual depiction of the song's story, detailing DMX's affair with the a woman named Tenika who is already in a relationship with the father of her two children. It features cameos by then-unknown artists Eve, Ja Rule, Drag-On and Irv Gotti, all of whom would rise to prominence in the following year.

Interpolations and samples

Canadian rapper and singer Drake incorporated the lyrics to the chorus of "How's It Goin' Down" in his own song, "U with Me?" from the album Views. American rapper Moneybagg Yo sampled "How's It Goin' Down" in his song "Scorpio".

Charts

Chart	Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	70
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	19

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[1]	Gold	500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

1. "American single certifications – DMX – How's It Goin' Down". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 30, 2021.