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Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper and actor. His accolades included an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and six Grammy Awards nominations. Regarded as an influential figure in the late 1990s and one of the greats of hip-hop,[4] his music is characterized by his "aggressive" rapping style,[5] with lyrical content varying from hardcore themes to prayers.[2][3] His violent lyricism helped popularize the horrorcore genre.[5]

Key Information

DMX began rapping in the early 1990s. After an unsuccessful tenure on Columbia Records, he signed with Ruff Ryders Entertainment in a joint venture with Def Jam Recordings to release his debut studio album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), which was met with critical and commercial success—selling 251,000 copies in its first week and spawning the Billboard Hot 100-top 20 single, "Ruff Ryders' Anthem".[6][7] His second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998), was followed by his third, ... And Then There Was X (1999), which became his best-selling release and was supported by his second top 40 single, "Party Up (Up in Here)". His fourth album, The Great Depression (2001), was followed by his fifth, Grand Champ (2003), which was led by the single "Where the Hood At?" and included the international bonus track "X Gon' Give It to Ya".[8] DMX became the first artist to have their first five albums consecutively debut atop the Billboard 200, and by his death on April 9, 2021, he had sold over 75 million records worldwide.[9]

DMX acted in commercially successful films such as Belly (1998), alongside rapper Nas, Romeo Must Die (2000) and Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), alongside Jet Li, and Exit Wounds (2001), alongside Steven Seagal. In 2006, he starred in the reality television series DMX: Soul of a Man, which was primarily aired on the BET cable television network. In 2003, he published a book of his memoirs titled E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.[10]

Early life

[edit]

Earl Simmons was born on December 18, 1970, in Mount Vernon, New York.[11] He was the son of 19-year-old Arnett Simmons and 18-year-old Joe Barker.[12] Simmons was the middle child of the family; his mother had given birth to a daughter, Bonita, two years prior, and later gave birth to a second daughter, Shayla, and two stillborn sons.[1] His father, Barker, painted watercolor paintings of street scenes to sell at local fairs, having moved to Philadelphia to fulfill his career.[13]

In his childhood years, Simmons first suffered from physical violence at the hands of his mother and was diagnosed with bronchial asthma.[1][13] He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. He disassociated himself from the spirituality after he was injured in an accident by a driver.[1] At the age of five, his mother sent him to live with relatives in Yonkers' School Street housing apartments.[14][1][13] After suffering from his mother's abuse, he was expelled from a middle school at the age of ten, having been sent to a group home. He then returned to Yonkers at age fifteen, sleeping in empty storage bins and befriending stray dogs.[1][15] Due to poor grades at Yonkers Middle High School, Simmons was unable to finish his track and field team schedule.[13] Broke, he robbed several students to find food and clothing for himself, as well as a leather collar and harness for his pet dog.[1] He then began carjacking.[13]

Musical career

[edit]

1985–1995: Career beginnings

[edit]

His career began in 1985, when he beatboxed for a local rapper named Ready Ron. They would do small shows together where Ron would perform as a rapper, and DMX would beatbox and provide adlibs. After some time, he realized Ron was becoming more prominent on the scene, so he decided to start rapping himself under the name "DMX" inspired by the Oberheim DMX drum machine[13]—he made it an initialism for "Divine Master Of the Unknown" and later "Darkman X".[1] After serving a two-year prison sentence, he began writing his own lyrics and performing at the local recreation center for younger children. In 1988, while in prison for carjacking, he began dedicating more of his free time to writing lyrics and battling other inmates.[1] During this time, he had created a style called "Spellbound" where he spelled each word out letter by letter. He and future rival, K-Solo, engaged in battles.[1] The initial Ruff Ryders group started with a preteen Jadakiss, Swizz Beatz as a child, and DMX.[16] In 1988,[17] Irv Gotti was roommates with producer Chad Elliott who later introduced him in the Schlobohm housing projects in Yonkers to DMX and brothers Joaquin "Waah" and Darrin "Dee" Dean, who had mentioned they were creating a company called Ruff Ryders together. Gotti convinced Waah to buy him a drum machine to produce records for DMX. Elliott and Gotti produced a beat in 1989 called Born Loser which became one of DMX's first music demo's.[16][18][19]

He later made an appearance on The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show in January 1991, where he provided a freestyle.[20] The Source praised DMX in its Unsigned Hype column that highlighted unsigned hip-hop artists.[21] In 1991, DMX signed a management deal with the then-unknown record label Ruff Ryders Entertainment. Later that year, Columbia Records signed DMX to its subsidiary labels Chaos Records and Ruffhouse Records, which released his major debut single "Born Loser" in 1993.[22] Failing to meet commercial projections and not reaching any music charts, he was then terminated from his contract with Ruffhouse and became an independent artist.[1] In January 1994, Death Row Records attempted to sign the rapper in a joint venture with Ruff Ryders, although this never materialized.[1]

1996–1997: Building hype and signing to Def Jam

[edit]

After two years of struggling in the industry, his friend and associate, Irv Gotti, became the president of A&R at Def Jam Recordings. After showcasing for then-president Lyor Cohen, DMX was signed to Def Jam Recordings in May 1997.[1]

1998–2000: Debut album and commercial success

[edit]

DMX recorded tracks from April 1997 to January 1998 for his debut album. During this time, his guest appearances on Mase's singles "24 Hrs. to Live" and "Take What's Yours", The Lox's single "Money, Power & Respect", and Def Jam labelmate LL Cool J's single "4, 3, 2, 1" created a strong buzz for his upcoming album.[2] In February 1998, he released his debut major-label single "Get at Me Dog" on Def Jam Recordings. The single received an RIAA certification of gold.[23] His first major-label album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which included the single "Ruff Ryders' Anthem", was then released in May 1998. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. and sold over six million copies.[24] In December 1998, he released his album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and went multi-platinum.[22] DMX became the only rapper alive to have his first two consecutive number-one Billboard 200 albums within a one-year period (seven months by calculation) and the first since Tupac Shakur;[25][26] DMX's record would later be surpassed two different times in 2020 by YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who made the number one position with two albums in six months (a month down by proxy, making it the fastest) and also had three number one albums in ten months between 2019 and 2020, also beating another Billboard record by DMX involving a quantity of number one rap albums within a year.[25]

He released his third album ... And Then There Was X, on December 21, 1999.[27] It was his third album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Its most popular single, "Party Up (Up in Here)", became his first top ten hit on the R&B charts, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards.[28] The album was certified six-times Platinum, and was also nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2001 Grammy Awards.[2][28] In 2000, DMX also made a cameo appearance in the Sum 41 music video for "Makes No Difference".[29]

In late 2000, he joined other Hip Hop and Nu Metal artists on the Anger Management Tour. Appearing alongside Limp Bizkit, Godsmack and Sinnistar for the second half of the tour from November 24 to December 19, 2000.[30]

2001–2004: Return to music

[edit]

After improving his legal situation, DMX returned to the studio to complete his fourth album, The Great Depression. With its release on October 23, 2001, it was his fourth album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200, featuring the singles "Who We Be", "We Right Here", and "I Miss You". Despite the album's triple platinum certification, its commercial and critical success was lower than his previous album.[2] His fifth album, Grand Champ, released in September 2003, once again debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming his final album in his lifetime to do so. It sold over four million in the U.S., including the singles "Where the Hood At?" and "Get It on the Floor". After its release, he informed the public that he planned to retire, intending for Grand Champ to be his final album.[31]

2005–2011: Year of the Dog... Again and The Definition of X

[edit]
DMX in February 2007

After conflict with Def Jam, DMX signed to Columbia Records, Def Jam's former parent company, in January 2006, returning to the label since 1992. He recorded his sixth album, Year of the Dog... Again, while switching between the two labels, which caused numerous delays.[32] It was released on August 1, 2006, and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.[33] He released two more singles, "Lord Give Me a Sign" and "We in Here". The album received mixed reviews from critics.[citation needed] On June 12, 2007, Def Jam released his greatest hits album, The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter.[2]

In 2009, DMX claimed he would pursue preaching in Jersey City, New Jersey as well as continue to produce music. He completed a Gospel music album prior to his incarceration. According to MTV, he had semi-retired to study the Bible in an effort to give messages behind the pulpit.[34] Def Jam released another compilation album in 2010 titled The Best of DMX, which features hit singles including "Where the Hood At?" and "X Gon' Give It To Ya".[35][36]

2011–2013: Undisputed

[edit]

On October 11, 2011, DMX performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards. He stated that he has been working "nonstop, every day" on his seventh album, which was titled Undisputed.[37] A video for a new track titled "Last Hope" was released via the Internet on September 24, 2011, and was later included on The Weigh In EP released digitally on May 5, 2012. In late February 2012, Seven Arts Pictures acquired the catalog of DMX's music and signed DMX to a two-album deal.[38] During a performance at New York's Santos Party House on December 25, 2011, DMX stated that the new album would be titled Undisputed and would be released on March 26, 2012. After numerous delays,[39][40] the album was eventually released on September 11, 2012, and featured production from Swizz Beatz and J.R. Rotem with a guest appearance by MGK.

2013–2021: Def Jam reunion and Exodus

[edit]

In 2013, DMX announced he had begun working on his eighth studio album. He collaborated with producers Swizz Beatz[41] and Dame Grease. In December, after regaining his passport, he embarked on a world tour with performances in Bulgaria and Kosovo.[42][43] On January 7, 2015, Seven Arts Music announced that DMX would be releasing Redemption of the Beast the following week; however, close personal friend and recurring collaborator producer/rapper/entrepreneur Swizz Beatz and DMX's management confirmed that this was false.[44][45] On January 13, 2015, Seven Arts Music released Redemption of the Beast, without acquiring a legal artist contract. On January 15, 2015, it was announced by DMX's brother/manager Montana that DMX was no longer signed to Seven Arts Music and that they would be taking legal action against Seven Arts Music for the unauthorized release of Redemption of the Beast.[46][47]

Long-time collaborator Swizz Beatz stated that two of the collaborators on the album would be Kanye West and Dr. Dre.[48] His 2003 song "X Gon' Give It to Ya" was featured in the 2016 film Deadpool and in its trailers. On June 28, 2016, DMX released a new song titled "Blood Red" and produced by Divine Bars.[49] On January 11, 2017, DMX released a new song produced by Swizz Beats titled "Bain Iz Back".[50] On September 20, 2019, DMX signed a new record deal with Def Jam Recordings, reuniting with the label for the first time since his 2003 album Grand Champ.[51] He joined fellow labelmate, LL Cool J, in the reunion with the label.[52]

DMX's eighth and posthumous studio album, Exodus, was released through Def Jam on May 28, 2021.[53]

Personal life

[edit]

Religion

[edit]

DMX was a born-again Christian,[54] and stated that he read the Bible every day.[55][56][57] While in jail, DMX stated that he had a purpose for being there:

"I came here to meet somebody...Don't know who it was, but I'll know when I see him. And I came here to give him a message. And that message is Jesus loves them."[56]

DMX was a transitional deacon and aspired to become ordained as a pastor, stating that he received this call in 2009.[58] In 2016, he gave a sermon at a church in Phoenix, Arizona.[59]

Relationships and children

[edit]
DMX in July 2006

DMX was the father of 15 children from 9 different women.[60] He married his childhood friend Tashera Simmons in 1999.[61] They had four children together: Xavier (born 1992), Tacoma (born 1999), Sean (born 2002), and Praise Mary Ella (born 2005).[62] In July 2010, after his first of three incarcerations that year, Tashera announced their separation.[63] They divorced in 2014[64] and remained friends,[61] although in 2016, Tashera accused DMX of missing his $10,000/month child support payment.[65]

DMX had a daughter, Sasha (born 2002), with Patricia Trejo.[66] In 2012, Trejo sued DMX for $1 million in unpaid child support. The case was settled in 2013.[67]

DMX and Monique Wayne, a Maryland resident, fought over her claim that he was the father of her son born in 2004. She sued him for defamation and for child support.[68] After genetic testing proved that DMX was the father, in January 2008, DMX was ordered to pay Wayne $1.5 million, but a judge vacated the judgment in May 2008.[68][69][70][71]

DMX also fathered a son and a daughter with Yadira Borrego. The son was 11 years old at the time of DMX's death, while the daughter's age was not known by the general public.[72] He fathered another child with his fiancée Desiree Lindstrom on August 16, 2016.[72][65][73]

DMX's final two children, twin boys, were born on December 5, 2019. Their mother is Pebbles Junell.[74]

DMX did not have a will.[75] As a result, legal battles ensued in probate courts following his death.

Finances and bankruptcies

[edit]

DMX filed for bankruptcy three times.[76] His first filing was on July 30, 2013, citing his child support obligations as his priority claim.[77] The filing was challenged by the United States Trustee Program[78] and was dismissed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan on November 11, 2013.[79]

Feud with Ja Rule

[edit]

During the 1990s, DMX formed a close bond with fellow up-and-coming rappers Jay-Z and Ja Rule. The three collaborated many times and formed a group known as Murder Inc. The group was short-lived due to internal issues between DMX and Jay-Z. After the breakup of the group DMX disparaged Ja Rule, accusing him of being a copycat and drawing comparisons between himself and what he saw as Ja Rule stealing his signature "gruff" style of delivery. DMX would then release his second album Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood which contained the diss track "We Don't Give a Fuck" that was directed towards Ja Rule and produced by Irv Gotti. Ja Rule would then respond in the song "We Different" from the compilation album Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers. DMX would also go on to throw shots at Ja Rule in his song "Do You" from Funkmaster Flex's mixtape The Mix Tape, Vol. IV.

In 2002, DMX released his diss track "They Want War" on DJ Kay Slay's mixtape Streetsweepers Presents The Regulator Pt. 5 The Final Chapter.[80] Ja Rule never responded directly but he went on to diss DMX in his songs "Fuck With Us" and "Connected" from his album The Last Temptation. The next year DMX would take shots at Ja Rule in the song "Go To Sleep" with Eminem and Obie Trice from the Cradle 2 The Grave soundtrack. DMX would also release another diss track titled "Ruled Out" and he would also diss Ja Rule again in his song "Where the Hood At?". Ja Rule then dissed DMX in Caddillac Tah's song "Duck" and his own songs "Clap Back" and "Blood In My Eye" from his album of the same name. However, as time passed and the feud faded into obscurity, DMX said that he wanted to officially bring it to an end when he was released from prison in 2005: "Gotti came to me in jail and said I want to make peace with you and him. I was like, 'Alright Gotti, let's do it."[81] Despite this, DMX and Ja Rule did not officially end their feud until 2009, at VH1's Hip Hop Honors.[82]

Feud with Jay-Z

[edit]

When DMX partnered with Jay-Z and Ja Rule in Murder Inc., there was a feud between the two, which also contributed to the failure of the group and working together. According to reports, the feud started in the early 1990s after a rap battle between the two, which led to DMX's disdain for Jay-Z.[83][84] Prior to DMX's death, the feud, although it fizzled out over the years, it somewhat continued when DMX said in an Instagram video that he wanted to rap battle Jay-Z on Verzuz.[85]

[edit]
DMX's June 2008 mugshot

DMX was in jail more than 30 times throughout his lifetime[86] for various offenses, including criminal possession of a weapon, robbery, assault, carjacking, animal cruelty, reckless driving, driving under the influence, unlicensed driving, drug possession, probation violation, failure to pay child support, pretending to be a federal agent, and tax evasion.

1986–1988

[edit]

DMX was first sent to prison in 1986 after stealing a dog from a junkyard. He served a few months in the juvenile unit of Woodfield Prison in Valhalla, New York. Later that year, he was sentenced to two years for another crime and sent to Industry Institution in upstate New York.[1] However, in December 1986, just a few days after starting his sentence, he and his cellmate successfully escaped the prison and DMX returned home until his mother forced him to turn himself in and finish his sentence, which he did at the MacCormick Secure Center, in Brooktondale, New York.[1] Simmons was sent to prison again in 1988 for carjacking, and was later moved to a higher security prison after attempting to extort a fellow inmate for drugs. He was released in the summer of 1988.[1]

1998–1999

[edit]
  • When officers of the Fort Lee Police Department executed a search of his home in 1999, DMX promptly surrendered himself on weapons possession charges.[87]
  • DMX faced a 1999 animal cruelty charge in Teaneck, New Jersey, after a dozen pit bulls were found at his home there;[88] the charge was dismissed after the performer agreed to accept responsibility and record public service announcements for an animal rights group.[89]

2000–2005: Metro NY

[edit]
  • In 2000, DMX served a 15-day jail sentence for possession of marijuana.[90]
  • DMX served another jail sentence in 2001 for driving without a license and possession of marijuana. His appeal to reduce the sentence was denied; rather, he was charged with assault for throwing objects at prison guards.[91][92]
  • In January 2002, DMX pleaded guilty in New Jersey to 13 counts of animal cruelty, two counts of maintaining a nuisance, and one count each of disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia. He eventually plea-bargained down to fines, probation, and community service and starred in public service announcements against the dangers of guns and animal abuse.[93]
  • In June 2004, DMX was arrested at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, on charges of cocaine possession, criminal impersonation, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, menacing, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while claiming to be a federal agent and attempting to carjack a vehicle.[94][95] He was given a conditional discharge on December 8, 2004, but pleaded guilty on October 25, 2005, to violating parole.[96]
  • On November 18, 2005, DMX was sentenced to 70 days in jail at Rikers Island for violating parole; the lateness charge added a 10-day extension to the original 60-day sentence.[97] DMX was released early (for "good behavior") on December 30, 2005.[98]

2007

[edit]
  • In 2007, DMX's home in Arizona was raided on reports of animal cruelty to his 12 pitbulls on the property.[99] Simmons maintained that any neglect was the result of a caretaker who was not taking proper supervision of the dogs.[100]

2008–2011: Arizona and California

[edit]
  • On May 9, 2008, DMX was arrested on drug and animal cruelty charges after attempting to barricade himself inside his home in Cave Creek, Arizona.[89]
  • DMX pleaded guilty to charges of drug possession, theft, and animal cruelty stemming from an August 2007 drug raid as well as the May 2008 arrest, at a hearing on December 30, 2008; he was sentenced to 90 days in jail on January 31, 2009.[101][102][103]
  • On May 22, 2009, DMX entered a plea agreement/change of plea and pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated assault in jail.
  • After serving four out of six months for violating drug probation, DMX was released from jail on July 6, 2010.[104] That day, a television pilot was filmed to portray his road to recovery; however, DMX was arrested three weeks later and the pilot did not evolve into a series.
  • On July 27, 2010, DMX turned himself in to Los Angeles Metropolitan Court for a reckless driving charge he received in 2002. He was sentenced to serve ninety days in jail.[105][106]
  • On November 19, 2010, DMX was arrested in Maricopa County, Arizona, on charges of violating probation for a February 24, 2009, aggravated assault on an officer while he was incarcerated. On December 20, 2010, DMX was moved to the Mental Health Unit of the Arizona Alhambra State Prison,[107] and released on July 18, 2011.[108]
  • On August 24, 2011, DMX was arrested for the tenth time in Maricopa County, this time for speeding, recorded at 102 miles per hour (164 km/h) in a 65-mile-per-hour (105 km/h) zone, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. While DMX admitted to speeding, he claimed he was driving 85 miles per hour (137 km/h).[109]

2013: South Carolina

[edit]
  • On February 13, 2013, DMX was arrested in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for driving without a driver's license.[110]
  • On July 26, 2013, DMX was arrested again in Greenville County, South Carolina, and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol as well as driving without a license.[111]
  • On August 20, 2013, DMX was arrested again in Greer, South Carolina, during a traffic stop after a car he was a passenger in made an improper u-turn. He was arrested due to an outstanding warrant for driving under suspension. Four packages of marijuana were also found in the vehicle, and he along with the driver were cited for them.[112][113][114][115]
  • On November 4, 2013, DMX was again arrested by the Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport police near Greer, South Carolina, after police, who were familiar with his prior arrests, noticed DMX behind the wheel of a vehicle at the terminal. DMX was booked on charges of driving with a suspended license, having an uninsured vehicle, and driving an unlicensed vehicle. He was subsequently released after spending three hours in jail.[116]

2015: New York

[edit]
  • On April 5, 2015, a man accused DMX of robbing him.[117]
  • On June 26, 2015, DMX was arrested in New York and charged in Newark, New Jersey, with robbery and failure to pay child support.[118]
  • On July 14, 2015, DMX was sentenced to six months in jail for failure to pay $400,000 in child support.[119]
  • On December 14, 2015, an arrest warrant was issued for DMX after he missed a court hearing to address child support issues with his ex-wife Tashera Simmons and their four children.[120]

2017–2019: Tax fraud conviction

[edit]

In July 2017, DMX was charged with 14 federal counts of tax fraud.[121] Federal prosecutors charged him with failing to file income tax returns from 2010 to 2015 (a period when he earned at least $2.3 million). DMX pleaded guilty to a single count of tax fraud in November 2017.[122] DMX was originally free pending sentencing but was remanded to jail in January 2018 after leaving a drug treatment program ordered by the court and relapsing with cocaine and oxycodone.[123] In March 2018, Judge Jed S. Rakoff sentenced DMX to one year in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The court also ordered DMX to pay $2.29 million in restitution to the government.[122] He was released from prison on January 25, 2019.[124]

Health problems and death

[edit]

Simmons claimed he became addicted to crack cocaine when he was 14 years old, after Ready Ron tricked him into smoking a marijuana cigarette laced with the drug.[125][60] Ready Ron denied this claim in a social media post after Simmons's death.[126]

Simmons entered drug rehabilitation several times including in 2002, 2017, and 2019, when he canceled concerts.[127][128]

On February 10, 2016, Simmons was found unresponsive in a parking lot at a Ramada Inn in Yonkers, New York.[129] He was resuscitated by first responders and intravenously given Narcan, an opioid-reversal drug; he responded quickly and became semi-conscious.[130] Simmons was subsequently rushed to the hospital. A witness said he ingested a powdered substance before collapsing,[131] but police found no illegal substances on the property.[129] Simmons stated that it was from an asthma attack.[129]

DMX shrine outside White Plains Hospital, where he died

On April 2, 2021, at approximately 11:00pm,[132] Simmons was rushed to White Plains Hospital, where he was reported to be in critical condition following a heart attack at his home possibly resulting from a drug overdose.[133][134] Simmons suffered cerebral hypoxia as paramedics attempted to resuscitate him for 30 minutes.[135][136][137] The next day, his attorney Murray Richman confirmed Simmons was on life support.[138][139][140] Simmons's former manager, Nakia Walker, said he was in a "vegetative state" with "lung and brain failure and no current brain activity".[141][142] His manager, SRC and Loud Records founder Steve Rifkind, stated Simmons was comatose and that he was set to undergo tests to determine his brain's functionality and his family will "determine what's best from there".[143][144]

On the morning of April 9, 2021, Simmons lost functionality in multiple essential organs, reportedly his liver, kidneys, and lungs,[145] and was pronounced dead shortly after, at age 50. It was revealed on July 8 by the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office that Simmons's official cause of death was a heart attack.[146][147]

Legacy

[edit]

"Throughout his nearly three-decade career, DMX came to embody passion, rawness, and pure emotional honesty like few hip-hop artists ever have, barking his way through hits like "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "Get at Me Dog" one moment, and repenting and philosophizing on tracks like "Slippin'" the next. His was a decidedly anti-commercial approach, but it worked, and it made him the genre's first new superstar in the wake of the killings of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. To this day, few have been able to reach the heights he did—he's the only rapper to have his first five studio albums debut at no. 1, and he was the first living hip-hop artist to have two projects go platinum in the same year."[148]

— The Ringer wrote upon DMX's death

Various celebrities paid tribute through outlets like social media including former NFL player Torrey Smith, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Eminem, Gabrielle Union (who co-starred with DMX in the 2003 film Cradle 2 the Grave, along with Jet Li (who also paid tribute)), Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean,[149] Wyclef Jean,[150] Swizz Beatz (who DMX collaborated with including on the hit single, "Ruff Ryders' Anthem"),[151] Eve and Missy Elliott.[152][153][154] Other tributors included Kelly Rowland, Chris Brown, Lil Durk, Big Sean, Polo G, Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, T.I., Jim Jones, Busta Rhymes, Viola Davis, Mary J. Blige, Al Sharpton, Angie Martinez, Ciara, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and various others.[155][156][157][158][159][160]

A "Celebration of Life" took place on April 24, 2021, led by Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir. They performed several songs in honor of DMX. The memorial took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with a limited capacity of 1,900. It was livestreamed on DMX's YouTube and Instagram accounts. On the way to Barclays, DMX's casket was carried by a black monster truck with "Long live DMX" painted on the side. A procession of hundreds of motorcyclists, in homage to the hip-hop collective Ruff Ryders, rode from DMX's birthplace of Yonkers, New York to Barclays Center. In between performances, people gave speeches including Eve, Nas, Swizz Beatz and Ruff Ryders founders Joaquin "Waah" Dean & Darin "Dee" Dean.

DMX's funeral ("DMX's Homegoing Celebration") took place in Brooklyn at the Christian Cultural Center on April 25, 2021. It was livestreamed on the BET Network and its YouTube channel. It lasted around five hours to a limited capacity of 2,000 people. DMX's casket was in the color red and featured the word "FAITH" in large printing. It was featured in the front of the room. People who were in attendance included Nas, Lil Kim, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz as well as the pastor of the church, Reverend A.R. Bernard. Louis Farrakhan, a leader of the Nation of Islam, joined the service via Zoom. With the exception of Alicia Keys, Nas and Lil Kim, they all gave speeches. DMX's former wife, Tashera Simmons and Ruff Ryders founders Waah & Dee also gave a speech. There was some controversial testimonies like former Def Jam chief Lyor Cohen, when his video featured an overhead view of a beach and explained how Earl Simmons was a wonderful man while DMX was a gremlin. Additionally, Def Jam cofounder Russell Simmons compared his own issues with drug abuse to DMX via video. The homegoing ended with DMX's obituary read on stage and a virtual performance from Faith Evans.[161]

At the funeral, New York City community leader and peacemaker Erica Ford presented DMX's family several citations and proclamations from the New York governor's and Senate's office, including a proclamation from the New York state Senate declaring December 18—DMX's birthday—"Earl 'DMX' Simmons Day." Additional citations came from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Mike Spano of Yonkers (the hometown of DMX). Cuomo had the flag flying over the state capitol on the day of DMX's death presented to his family.[162][163]

On June 28, 2021, his music was represented by former Def Jam labelmate Method Man, close friend Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes and actor Michael K. Williams (who himself would pass away five months later) at the BET Awards 2021.[164][165]

Impact

[edit]

DMX had a significant impact on hip hop music and is considered a "legend" in the genre.[166][167][168][169] He's credited for having "defined 2000s rap"[4] and for being "among the most prolific rappers of his era".[170] He broke and set numerous records.[171] His early work was vastly different from most mainstream hip hop music at the time; while Puff Daddy and other artists of the Bad Boy Records label were at the height of popularity, characterized by their "big-budget videos, lavish party-throwing, and dancefloor-ready music", DMX achieved success with a more dark, aggressive, "rugged",[171] less "marketable" style.

According to an Apple Music radio host: "It was a complete 180...Puff was controlling the clubs; you were watching Bad Boy Records pop bottles, wear Rolexes, Jesus pieces, Coogi sweaters. Then here comes this crazy energetic figure from Yonkers with the Timbs and the bandanas, running around with pitbulls, giving a perspective on the streets that a lot of people weren't familiar with and taking command of what hip-hop didn't look like." DMX's commercially successful violent lyricism helped popularize the horrorcore genre.[5]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: DMX discography
Studio albums

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Grammy Award

Year Nominated work Award Result
2001 ... And Then There Was X Best Rap Album Nominated[28]
"Party Up (Up in Here)" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated[28]
2002 "Who We Be" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated[28]
2022 "Bath Salts" (with Nas & Jay-Z) Best Rap Song Nominated

American Music Award

Year Nominated work Award Result
2000 DMX Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Won[172]
2001 DMX Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist Nominated[173]

MTV Video Music Award

Year Nominated work Award Result
1999 "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" Best Rap Video Nominated[174]
2000 "Party Up (Up in Here)" Best Rap Video Nominated[175]
2001 "No Sunshine" Best Video from a Film Nominated[176]
2002 "Who We Be" Best Rap Video Nominated[177]
Best Breakthrough Video Nominated[177]
2006 "Touch It (Remix)" Best Rap Video Nominated[178]
Best Male Video Nominated[178]

Billboard Music Award

Year Nominated work Award Result
1999 DMX Top R&B Album Artist of the Year Won

Filmography

[edit]

Films

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Belly Tommy "Buns" Bundy [179]
2000 Romeo Must Die Silk [179]
Backstage Himself [180]
Boricua's Bond Himself
2001 Exit Wounds Latrell Walker [179]
2003 Cradle 2 the Grave Anthony Fait [179]
2004 Never Die Alone King David [180]
2006 Father of Lies Paul Direct-to-DVD[180]
2007 Death Toll The Dog Direct-to-DVD[180]
2008 Last Hour Black Jack Direct-to-DVD[180]
Lords of the Street Thorn Originally titled Jump Out Boys[180]
2009 Lockjaw: Rise of the Kulev Serpent Nick Direct-to-DVD[180]
The Bleeding Tagg Direct-to-DVD[180]
2013 King Dog Terrell (TJ) Johnson Direct-to-DVD[181]
Blame It on the Hustle — Direct-to-DVD[182]
2014 Top Five Himself Cameo appearance[183]
Journey to Sundance Himself Documentary
2017 Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Story Himself Documentary
2018 Pimp Midnight John [180]
The After Party Himself Cameo
2019 Beyond the Law Detective Ray Munce [180]
2020 Fast and Fierce: Death Race Davie [184]
Chronicle of a Serial Killer Detective White [185]
2021 DMX: Don't Try to Understand Himself Documentary
TBA Fast Vengeance Post-production
Doggmen Cowboy Filming
A Journey to Sundance Himself Documentary

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Street Hoops Himself Vocals
2003 Def Jam Vendetta Himself Voice role and likeness[186]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1998 The Chris Rock Show Himself [180]
2000 Moesha Himself "Gimme a Break" (season 5, episode 18)[180]
2000–02 MadTV Himself 2 episodes[187]
2002 Half & Half Himself "The Big Sistah Sans Soul" (season 1, episode 7)[180]
2003 Third Watch Kandid Jones "In Lieu of Johnson" (season 5, episode 92)[180]
Eve Xenon "She Snoops to Conquer" (season 1, episode 3)[180]
$2 Bill Himself "Episode DMX, Method Man and Ludacris"
2004 Chappelle's Show Himself Music guest (season 2, episode 16)[188]
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Himself Season 3, episode 57[189]
The Sharon Osbourne Show Himself [190]
2005 Trippin' Himself 2 episodes[191]
2006 DMX: Soul of a Man Himself Documentary[192]
2008 Big Pun: The Legacy Himself Documentary[193]
2011 Lifechangers Himself 2 episodes[194]
2012 Couples Therapy Himself Documentary[195]
2013 Iyanla, Fix My Life Himself "Fix My Rap Star Life" (season 2, episode 1)[196]
2015 Fresh Off the Boat Himself Season 2, episode 9[197]
2017 Black Ink Crew Himself Season 5, episode 14[198]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

DMX

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DMX, born Earl Simmons on December 18, 1970, in , was an influential American rapper, songwriter, and actor whose raw, aggressive style, signature spoken-word prayer interludes, and themes of personal struggle, faith, and street life defined late-1990s hip-hop. Rising to prominence with his 1998 debut album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which topped the and achieved multi-platinum status, DMX became one of the genre's biggest stars, releasing five consecutive number-one albums that sold over 14 million copies in the United States alone. His signature gravelly bark, introspective lyrics, and affiliation with the collective propelled hits like "Ruff Ryders' Anthem," "Party Up (Up in Here)," and "What's My Name?" to commercial success, earning him three Grammy nominations and a Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Male in 2000. Simmons' early life was marked by severe hardship, including physical abuse from his mother and her partners, time in group homes and juvenile detention, and early involvement in crime and drug use starting at age 14, which profoundly shaped his music's themes of redemption and turmoil. He transitioned from battle rapping in New York's underground scene to mainstream fame under Def Jam Recordings, where producer Irv Gotti and the Ruff Ryders helped craft his breakout sound blending hardcore rap with gospel influences. Beyond music, DMX ventured into acting, starring in films such as Belly (1998), Romeo Must Die (2000) alongside Jet Li, Exit Wounds (2001) with Steven Seagal, and Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), securing a deal with Warner Bros. for his cinematic work. Throughout his career, DMX grappled publicly with , leading to multiple arrests for drug possession, weapons charges, , and assault, including a 2019 prison sentence for failing to pay over $1.7 million in taxes; he was also a father to 15 children and sought treatment in rehabilitation programs. His life ended on April 9, 2021, at age 50, following a heart attack induced by a at his home in , leaving a legacy as a pivotal figure in hip-hop who alchemized pain into powerful, enduring art. Posthumously, several albums including Exodus (2021), Let Us Pray: Chapter X (2024), and DMX Features (2025) have been released, extending his influence.

Early life

Childhood and family

Earl Simmons, known professionally as DMX, was born on December 18, 1970, in Mount Vernon, New York, to teenage parents Arnett Simmons and Joe Barker. His mother, who was 19 at the time of his birth, already had a two-year-old child, making Simmons the second of what would become a family including two sisters, Bonita and Shayla. The family lived in poverty, with Barker absent from Simmons' life shortly after his birth, providing no paternal involvement or support. Simmons endured severe physical and emotional abuse during his early years, primarily from his and her successive boyfriends, which marked his childhood with profound trauma and instability. His , struggling as a , often left him in the care of his maternal grandmother, Mary Ella Holloway, who offered some nurturing stability amid the chaos, though the family frequently relocated within the New York area, exacerbating the sense of rootlessness. This abusive environment exposed Simmons to from a very young age, contributing to early health issues like bronchial that affected his development. The lack of a stable unit led Simmons to be placed in group homes and multiple times before his teenage years, as his mother deemed him unmanageable due to behavioral challenges stemming from the . Despite these hardships, his grandmother's intermittent role provided brief periods of relative security, though the overall upbringing was defined by abandonment and that profoundly shaped his worldview.

Juvenile delinquency and early influences

Simmons's early teenage years were defined by escalating involvement in petty crime, including and nighttime robberies, as a means of survival amid ongoing instability. Stemming from severe by his mother and her boyfriends—which included beatings that knocked out two of his teeth and left lasting scars—he was placed in group homes starting around age 7, but his delinquency intensified from ages 11 to 16 with repeated cycles of institutionalization in reform schools and juvenile detention centers. By age 10, he had already been arrested twice, once for and once for , leading to expulsion from school for violent behavior toward teachers. These experiences culminated in more serious offenses during his mid-teens, such as stealing a dog from a junkyard in 1986 at age 16, which resulted in a two-year sentence in the juvenile unit of Woodfield Prison in Valhalla, New York. He escaped shortly after but was recaptured and transferred to McCormick Juvenile Detention Center to complete his term. At age 14, following a robbery with an associate, Simmons was unwittingly introduced to crack cocaine when his companion laced a marijuana joint with the drug, an event he later described as the birth of a lifelong addiction that exacerbated his criminal path. By 1988, at age 18, he faced further incarceration for carjacking, during which he spent time in jail writing lyrics and battling other inmates, further entrenching his pattern of institutional stints. Parallel to this turbulent period, Simmons discovered hip-hop as a creative escape, beginning around age 14 when he met local rapper Ready Ron in Yonkers, who mentored him and had him beatbox during performances at small shows. This exposure sparked his interest in , leading him to participate in street battle rhymes across Yonkers, where he developed the aggressive, raw delivery that would define his style. Immersed in the vibrant early hip-hop scene of the , he drew inspiration from its pioneers, adopting the stage name DMX from the sounds of the drum machine that he emulated while . These initial artistic pursuits provided a counterpoint to his delinquency, laying the foundation for his eventual emergence as a prominent voice in rap.

Musical career

Career beginnings (1985–1997)

In the mid-1980s, at the age of 14, DMX (born Earl Simmons) began his foray into hip-hop in , where he formed the rap group Rough House Posse with local friends and recorded his first demo tapes, marking the start of his musical endeavors. These initial recordings captured his raw, aggressive style, drawing from the street life of his youth and establishing a foundation for his future work in the genre. By the mid-1990s, DMX had transitioned to releasing mixtapes and independent singles on small labels, gaining traction in New York's underground through bootleg tapes and local performances. His collaboration with producer and the collective during this period proved pivotal, as Gotti recognized DMX's potential and began producing tracks that highlighted his barking delivery and intense . In 1997, DMX signed a major recording deal with through producer and , which positioned him for broader exposure. That same year, he built substantial buzz in the hip-hop community by delivering memorable freestyles on Funkmaster Flex's Hot 97 radio show, where his high-energy performances over popular beats captivated listeners and solidified his reputation as an emerging force.

Breakthrough and peak success (1998–2003)

DMX's breakthrough came in 1998 with the release of his debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, on May 19 through and . The album debuted at number one on the chart, selling 251,000 copies in its first week and eventually achieving quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA for over four million units shipped in the United States. Tracks like "," produced by , became anthemic staples in hip-hop, peaking at number 94 on the and embodying the raw energy of the Ruff Ryders collective, which had formed as a and venture led by the Dean family to promote DMX and affiliated artists. Building on this momentum, DMX released his second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, on December 22, 1998, just seven months later, making him the first rapper to debut two albums at number one on the in the same calendar year. The project sold 670,000 copies in its debut week and was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for three million units shipped in the U.S. His third album, ...And Then There Was X, followed on December 21, 1999, also debuting at number one with 698,000 first-week sales and earning quintuple platinum status from the RIAA for over five million U.S. shipments. DMX's fourth album, The Great Depression, released on October 23, 2001, debuted at number one on the with 372,000 copies sold in its first week and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Collectively, these first three albums sold over 13 million copies in the U.S. alone during this period, solidifying DMX's dominance in late-1990s hip-hop with his aggressive delivery and themes of street life and . During this peak, DMX expanded his influence through high-profile collaborations, including tracks with Jay-Z and Ja Rule such as "It's Murda" from Ja Rule's 1999 album Venni Vetti Vecci and "Murdergram" from the 1999 Streets Is Watching soundtrack, which highlighted their shared Murder Inc. affiliations and raw lyrical chemistry. The single "Party Up (Up in Here)" from ...And Then There Was X became his biggest hit, reaching number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2001 awards.

Mid-career challenges and releases (2004–2011)

Following the commercial peak of his early albums, DMX's mid-career from 2004 to 2011 was marked by sporadic releases overshadowed by ongoing personal turmoil and professional conflicts, resulting in fragmented output and diminished mainstream momentum. His fifth studio album, , released on September 16, 2003, by , debuted at No. 1 on the chart with first-week sales of 312,000 copies and was later certified by the RIAA for shipments exceeding one million units. The project featured aggressive tracks like "Where the Hood At" and "Get It on the Floor," but its promotion was complicated by DMX's public feuds, including disses aimed at on songs such as "Shot Down," amid broader tensions with former associates like . These disputes, coupled with royalty disagreements with , foreshadowed the label friction that would plague his subsequent years. By 2006, after parting ways with Def Jam due to internal conflicts and difficulties with label president , DMX signed with and released his sixth studio album, , on August 1, 2006, through and Sony Urban Music. The album debuted at No. 2 on the and No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 126,000 copies in its first week, marking his sixth consecutive No. 1 on the latter tally but showing a sales decline from prior efforts. Standout singles included "We in Here" and the introspective "," which blended DMX's signature raw energy with spiritual pleas, peaking at No. 63 on the . Despite critical nods for its gritty production, the record's reception highlighted DMX's evolving struggles, as his well-documented battles with began to visibly erode his creative consistency and public appearances. Label instability persisted into 2008, with Def Jam issuing the compilation We Are Aggressive as part of ongoing contractual obligations amid DMX's disputes over unpaid royalties and creative control. The project, released through Bodog Music and featuring remixed tracks from his catalog, underscored the fractured relationship that had led to his 2006 exit, as DMX publicly criticized the for underpromoting his work and mishandling finances. Earlier that year, Def Jam had capitalized on his legacy with the greatest hits collection The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter, released on June 12, 2007, which debuted at No. 26 on the and No. 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, compiling staples like "Ruff Ryders' " and "Party Up (Up in Here)." As the decade closed, DMX shifted toward independent ventures, releasing mixtapes and performing at smaller venues while navigating freedom from major-label constraints. In 2010, Def Jam issued another retrospective, The Best of DMX, fulfilling remaining obligations and peaking at No. 78 on the , but DMX increasingly pursued self-released projects like the 2011 mixtape , signaling his pivot to indie distribution platforms and direct fan engagement amid ongoing career instability. This period's releases, though modest in scale, preserved DMX's influence through raw, unpolished material that echoed his hardcore roots.

Later albums and Def Jam return (2012–2021)

In 2012, DMX released his seventh studio album, Undisputed, on September 11 through Bodiz Media Group, marking his first full-length project of original material in six years. The album featured contributions from producers like and included collaborations such as "I Don't Dance" with Machine Gun Kelly, showcasing DMX's signature aggressive flow and themes of struggle and resilience. It debuted at number 19 on the chart, moving 17,000 units in its first week, reflecting sustained interest from his core audience despite the independent release. Critics gave Undisputed mixed reviews, praising DMX's raw energy and standout tracks like the title song for recapturing his early intensity, while critiquing inconsistent production and dated beats that failed to match his peak-era polish. With an aggregate critic score of 60 out of 100 based on limited professional assessments, the project was seen as a solid but uneven effort from the veteran rapper. Nonetheless, DMX's loyal fanbase provided strong support, with user ratings averaging around 46 out of 100 on music aggregators, appreciating the unfiltered authenticity that defined his career. From 2013 to 2017, DMX maintained a steady presence through extensive touring and sporadic releases, including the 2015 compilation Redemption of the Beast on Seven Arts Music, which assembled 16 previously unreleased tracks recorded over the years and featured guests like Freeway. He hit the road for high-profile runs, such as the Masters of Ceremony Hip-Hop Reunion Tour alongside , , and , performing his classics to enthusiastic crowds across . Guest appearances during this period highlighted his enduring appeal, including a verse on Kelly's "D3MONS" from the 2012 deluxe edition of Lace Up that continued to circulate, and he contributed to various projects amid ongoing personal challenges. In January 2017, DMX dropped the single "Bain Iz Back" with longtime collaborator , a gritty track signaling his intent to reclaim momentum with booming production and confrontational lyrics. DMX's reconciliation with Def Jam culminated in September 2019 when he signed a new multi-album deal with the label, returning to the imprint that propelled his 1998 breakthrough with It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. The agreement, confirmed by sources close to the rapper, aimed to revive his catalog under major distribution while prioritizing new music, with playing a key role in negotiations. This partnership facilitated work on his long-awaited eighth studio album, Exodus, which DMX had been developing since at least 2013 with producers like and . In 2020 and early 2021, DMX focused on completing Exodus, recording verses alongside high-profile guests including members of , , and , blending his hardcore roots with reflective tones on faith and redemption. The project represented a career-spanning effort, incorporating tracks from various sessions to create a cohesive final statement. That summer, on July 22, 2020, DMX squared off against in a highly anticipated battle streamed live on , where the two icons traded hits like "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "Gin and Juice," drawing over 500,000 viewers and celebrating DMX's live energy in a moment of mutual respect amid his ongoing feuds with select peers.

Posthumous projects (2021–present)

Following DMX's death on April 9, 2021, his estate and longtime collaborator Swizz Beatz oversaw the completion and release of his eighth studio album, Exodus, which had been largely recorded but required finalization after his passing. Executive produced by Swizz Beatz, the 13-track project was released on May 28, 2021, via Def Jam Recordings, featuring high-profile guests including JAY-Z, Nas, Bono, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and The LOX. Swizz Beatz handled the remaining production work alone, ensuring the album captured DMX's raw energy and spiritual themes, as he described the process as a tribute to his friend's vision. The release debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200, marking DMX's first posthumous chart entry and underscoring his enduring influence in hip-hop. On December 13, 2024, DMX's estate released the posthumous album Let Us Pray: Chapter X, produced by Grammy-winning songwriter Warryn Campbell. The eight-track project sets DMX's existing spoken-word prayers—drawn from across his career, including "Prayer" on It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), "Prayer II" (also known as "Ready to Meet Him") on Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998), and "Prayer III" on ...And Then There Was X (1999)—to newly composed original music for the first time. Featuring collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Killer Mike, MC Lyte, LeCrae, Mary Mary, Terrace Martin, Lena Byrd Miles, and the RoyzNoyz Orchestra, the album focuses on DMX's spirituality, faith, and themes of redemption, continuing and highlighting his lifelong tradition of incorporating prayers into his musical output. In 2025, the estate announced DMX Features, a compilation album of never-before-heard collaborations curated and produced by , scheduled for summer release via DNA Music Group and Hitmaker Distro. The project spotlights unreleased verses from DMX's archives, paired with contemporary artists, including a lead single "Bring Out the Worst" featuring , which explores themes of inner conflict and resilience. Additional guests include , , , , Usher, , and , blending DMX's gritty style with diverse voices to create fresh tracks that feel timeless. Swizz Beatz emphasized the album's role in showcasing DMX's vast unreleased material, stating it was assembled from sessions spanning his career to provide fans with authentic extensions of his sound. Beyond major albums, DMX's estate has managed sporadic archival releases tied to Ruff Ryders Entertainment milestones, such as anniversary tributes to his debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. These include remastered singles and bonus tracks from early Ruff Ryders sessions, released digitally to coincide with events like the label's 25th anniversary in 2023, allowing fans to access polished versions of rare material. Ongoing estate efforts focus on cataloging and selectively releasing DMX's extensive unreleased recordings, with Swizz Beatz and family representatives prioritizing projects that align with his artistic integrity and spiritual message, ensuring a steady flow of content into the future.

Acting career

Film roles

DMX transitioned into acting in the late , leveraging his raw, aggressive stage presence to portray tough, street-hardened characters in urban action and crime films. His roles often mirrored the gritty intensity of his music, emphasizing themes of , , and redemption in underworld settings. Over his career, he amassed more than 20 credits, primarily in low-to-mid-budget productions that capitalized on his persona. His screen debut came in 1998 as Tommy "Bundy," a volatile drug dealer navigating a life of and betrayal, in the hip-hop infused drama Belly, directed by and co-starring . The performance showcased DMX's commanding screen presence and snarling delivery, establishing him as a natural fit for antagonistic tough-guy roles. In 2000, DMX landed a breakout lead role as Silk, the ruthless leader of a crime family entangled in interracial gang warfare, in the Romeo Must Die, directed by and featuring and . His portrayal of the vengeful antagonist highlighted his physicality and brooding charisma, contributing to the film's commercial success with over $91 million in worldwide earnings. Later that year, he played the supporting role of Latrell Walker, a wealthy owner secretly aiding a police investigation, in the action thriller Exit Wounds, opposite , where his tough demeanor added edge to the buddy-cop dynamic. From 2002 to 2006, DMX continued with action-oriented parts that reinforced his image as an unyielding anti-hero. In 2003's , he starred as Anthony Fait, a and single father pulling off high-stakes heists alongside , blending street smarts with paternal protectiveness in a fast-paced adventure that grossed $56 million globally. The following year, 2004, saw him lead as King David, a slick yet brutal pimp returning to New York to settle old scores, in the thriller , based on ' novel and directed by , where his magnetic villainy drove the film's exploration of exploitation and downfall. In later projects, DMX took on similarly intense characters in direct-to-video releases. He portrayed Thorn, a hitman teaming with a veteran cop to hunt a drug lord, in the 2008 action film Jump Out Boys (also released as Lords of the Street), directed by Amir Valinia and co-starring Kris Kristofferson, emphasizing themes of pursuit and moral ambiguity in post-Katrina New Orleans. That same year, in Death Toll, he played "The Dog," a cunning New Orleans drug kingpin evading law enforcement amid a wave of murders, in a low-budget crime drama directed by Phenomenon, which underscored his ability to embody elusive criminal masterminds. These roles, while in lesser-known fare, sustained his tough-guy archetype through the mid-2000s and beyond. His final film role was as police Captain Liddle in the 2021 action thriller Fast Vengeance, directed by Pearry Reginald Teo, where he portrayed a lieutenant investigating murders tied to underground motorcycle racing; the film was released posthumously.

Television appearances and documentaries

DMX made notable guest appearances on television during the early , including as a musical performer on in its second season premiere episode, where he delivered a medley of his hits that captured his raw energy and resonated with the show's satirical tone. In 2006, he starred in the reality series DMX: Soul of a Man, a six-episode production that provided an intimate look at his daily life in , exploring his personal struggles, family dynamics, and creative process amid attempts at and . Shifting to reality television in the 2010s, DMX participated in VH1's Couples Therapy during its inaugural season in 2012, appearing alongside his then-estranged wife Tashera Simmons to address their marital issues, childhood traumas, and his history of substance abuse under the guidance of Dr. Jenn Berman, which led to intense on-camera confrontations and emotional breakthroughs. That same year, he featured in episodes of OWN's Iyanla: Fix My Life, where host Iyanla Vanzant traveled to his hometown of Yonkers, New York, to facilitate a reunion with his son Xavier Simmons; the sessions delved into DMX's anger management, addiction, and fatherhood challenges, marked by heated exchanges and tearful reconciliations that highlighted his ongoing personal turmoil. Posthumously, the 2024 documentary For My Dog: A Documentary on DMX, directed by Sanders, was released to acclaim for its in-depth examination of the rapper's career highs, battles with addiction and legal issues, and enduring legacy in hip-hop, incorporating rare footage, interviews with collaborators, and lyrical analysis to portray his multifaceted persona. Regarding biopic developments, in August 2024, producer announced plans for a on DMX's life while recovering from a , claiming involvement from the rapper's ; however, Tashera Simmons and DMX's estate swiftly denied any collaboration, stating they had not agreed to partner with Gotti and emphasizing their independent control over his story. As of early 2025, Simmons has separately expressed intentions to develop her own biopic project focused on DMX's life, though no further details or production timelines have been confirmed.

Personal life

Religion and spirituality

DMX's engagement with began in his youth, influenced by his mother's Jehovah's Witness practices and his grandmother's Baptist faith, though he deepened his commitment as a born-again Christian around during a period of personal turmoil. At age 28, he sought , as reflected in his lyrics on the 1999 track "One More Road to Cross," where he rapped about a priest's reluctance due to his perceived "bad vibes," highlighting the initial barriers to his spiritual entry. His time in prison, particularly at Westchester County Jail in the late 1990s, profoundly shaped this journey; there, he penned his first public prayer, which he later performed at the Apollo Theater in , marking a pivotal moment of vulnerability and redemption. Throughout his career, DMX integrated themes of and redemption into his music, often portraying as a battle against personal demons. Tracks like "" from his 2006 album served as overt prayers for divine guidance, blending elements with hip-hop to express struggles and hope for , which he described as his "greatest record." He also featured spoken-word prayer interludes on several albums, including Prayer III from ...And Then There Was X (1999), where he expressed gratitude, praying "Lord Jesus, it is You who wakes me up every day / And I am forever grateful for Your love," and Prayer V from Grand Champ (2003), a prayer of thanksgiving for being made "righteous and accepted through the blood of Jesus" and blessed by God. These interludes underscored his practice of weaving explicit Christian devotion into his work. He routinely incorporated prayers into live performances, beginning concerts with heartfelt invocations to for protection and gratitude, as seen in his 2016 appearance at the Bad Boy Reunion Tour and his 2019 participation in Kanye West's Sunday Service event. These moments underscored his public persona as a vessel for spiritual testimony, even amid ongoing challenges. In the , DMX aspired to formal ministry, repeatedly expressing a calling to become a while incarcerated in in 2009, where he studied the daily and viewed jail as preparation for his "true calling." He recorded an unreleased two-disc album in 2008, titled Walk With Me Now (hip-hop focused) and You'll Fly With Me Later (profanity-free ), aiming to "give the glory" through songs born from emotional sessions filled with tears and prayer. Though unrealized during his lifetime, this project reflected his shift toward ministerial work; in 2012, he was ordained as a at Morning Star Baptist Church in Phoenix by Barbara King, with plans to found "House of the Afflicted," a ministry for the homeless and addicted. Posthumously, DMX is scheduled to be ordained as a minister at Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Tarrytown, New York, on January 10, 2026. This ceremony, organized by the Gospel Cultural Center, honors his lifelong faith and spiritual influence, taking place at a historic 164-year-old church linked to the Underground Railroad. DMX's often clashed with the music industry's demands, creating tension between his spiritual convictions and the secular, materialistic lifestyle it promoted. He criticized the industry's priorities in interviews, seeing his as a platform for souls rather than sales, yet struggled to reconcile this with his own battles against , which his beliefs helped sustain recovery efforts. This —evident in his raw lyrics and public breakdowns—defined his spiritual evolution as one of persistent striving amid contradiction.

Relationships and family

DMX married Tashera Simmons in 1999 after dating for several years; the couple shared a long-term partnership marked by both commitment and challenges. Together, they had four children: Xavier, born in 1992; Tacoma, born in 1999; , born in 2002; and Praise Mary Ella, born in 2005. Their ended in in 2014, following a period of estrangement that began around 2005 and a formal filing in 2012. Beyond his marriage, DMX fathered children with multiple partners, contributing to a total of 15 known children. Notable relationships included one with Desiree Lindstrom, with whom he had a son, Exodus, born in 2016; the pair were engaged at the time of his death. He also had children with other women, such as Yadira Borrego, who bore him two children, and Wayne, with whom he had one child confirmed via DNA testing in 2004. DMX faced several paternity suits and child support disputes throughout the 2000s and , which complicated his family dynamics. In 2004, a DNA test established his paternity for the child with Monique Wayne, leading to ongoing legal proceedings. Additional disputes arose in the , including cases involving other children that required intervention to affirm parentage and establish support obligations. Following his divorce from Simmons, DMX experienced periods of , particularly with his children from his marriage, amid his personal struggles. However, efforts toward reconciliation emerged later, including through appearances on VH1's in 2012, where he and Simmons addressed their issues and committed to co-parenting their four children. By the time of his in 2021, family members reported healing in relationships, with some children visiting him during his final hospitalization, reflecting restored bonds. DMX occasionally drew on his Christian faith to guide his approach to fatherhood, emphasizing spiritual values in family interactions.

Financial difficulties

Throughout the 2000s, DMX amassed significant debt to , reaching approximately $12 million by the time he departed the label in 2006, primarily from unrecouped advances amid his rapid rise to commercial success. This financial strain was exacerbated by his extravagant lifestyle, including purchases of luxury cars like a and high-end jewelry, which contributed to ongoing money management issues. His further fueled impulsive spending patterns that deepened these problems. The began pursuing DMX for unpaid taxes as early as 2005, issuing liens that accumulated to about $1.5 million by 2009 for income earned in 2002, 2003, and 2005. In April 2010, he filed a in New York against his royalty collection administrator, Rick Kid Entertainment, alleging years of withheld payments from song royalties, though the case highlighted broader mismanagement of label advances rather than resolving his debts. DMX's financial woes prompted multiple bankruptcy filings in the . In July 2013, he sought Chapter 11 protection in federal court, reporting assets under $50,000 against $1 million to $10 million in liabilities, including back and other obligations; the filing aimed to reorganize his finances and enable a planned world tour for income recovery. A second filing followed in 2016 to halt the foreclosure of his home, where he listed over $2 million in debts. Prior to his death in 2021, DMX pursued financial stabilization through live , including high-profile tours and appearances that generated revenue to offset lingering debts, though chronic issues persisted.

Public feuds

One of DMX's most prominent rivalries was with , which emerged in the late 1990s amid tensions between the Ruff Ryders Entertainment collective and Ja Rule's , both distributed under Def Jam. DMX accused Ja Rule of imitating his aggressive vocal style and flow, leading to verbal confrontations and indirect disses in tracks. For instance, the song "We Don't Give a " from DMX's 1998 album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Flesh was later revealed as a subtle diss toward Ja Rule, produced unintentionally by during a heated studio session where DMX vented frustrations about style-biting. The feud escalated publicly in 2002 through radio call-ins on Hot 97, where DMX criticized Ja Rule's authenticity and market positioning, while Ja Rule responded by defending his independence from Ruff Ryders influences. By the early 2000s, the rivalry had cooled, with both artists acknowledging mutual respect in interviews, though lingering style comparisons persisted among fans. DMX and reconciled fully around 2011, appearing civil in public settings and reflecting on their shared Def Jam history without further animosity, which allowed for potential industry collaborations unhindered by past tensions. DMX's beef with , another Def Jam affiliate, dated back to the early 1990s but reignited in 2002 during the promotion of DMX's album . Initially rooted in a freestyle battle in in the early 1990s, where DMX claimed victory for his raw energy, the conflict resurfaced when , as Def Jam president, allegedly deprioritized marketing for due to DMX's ongoing personal issues, prompting DMX to accuse him of favoritism toward Roc-A-Fella artists. Ruff Ryders founders later clarified that had personally assured DMX of support, but label politics and scheduling led to perceived neglect, fueling DMX's public frustration in interviews where he questioned 's leadership. The tension resolved amicably by the mid-2000s, with praising DMX's influence on his own performance style in later reflections, and the two maintaining professional cordiality that avoided derailing their careers or joint opportunities. Earlier in his career, DMX engaged in a notable rivalry with K-Solo, stemming from their time incarcerated together in the late 1980s at . K-Solo, known for his innovative "spellbound" rhyming technique—spelling out words phonetically in lyrics—accused DMX of appropriating the style after their release, particularly in DMX's 1998 track "Spellbound" from It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. K-Solo publicly challenged DMX through diss tracks and interviews in 2001, claiming DMX had observed and mimicked his flow during prison battles without credit, escalating to calls for a lyrical showdown to settle the dispute. The feud remained largely unresolved in the public eye, with sporadic references in hip-hop discussions, but it highlighted DMX's competitive edge in underground battles without leading to broader industry fallout or collaborations.

Early arrests (1986–1997)

Earl Simmons, known professionally as DMX, accumulated a significant juvenile in the late , rooted in a childhood environment of , , and poverty in . Between 1986 and 1990, he faced multiple arrests primarily for and theft, resulting in several stints in youth facilities. His first known arrest occurred in 1986 at age 15, when he stole a dog from a junkyard, leading to a two-year sentence in the juvenile unit of Woodfield Prison in ; he escaped after several weeks but later turned himself in and completed his term at McCormick Juvenile Detention Center. In 1988, Simmons was imprisoned for , during which he attempted to extort drugs from fellow inmates, prompting a transfer to a higher-security facility; he was released later that year. These incidents were part of a pattern of nighttime robberies and thefts, including carjackings, for which he was arrested several times in the mid-. From 1991 to 1995, as Simmons entered early adulthood, his criminal activities shifted toward drug-related offenses amid his growing addiction to crack cocaine, which began in his mid-teens. He faced convictions for drug possession, including an incident around age 20 when he was caught with marijuana, contributing to ongoing legal troubles. Parole violations stemming from prior sentences led to additional jail time, exacerbating his cycle of incarceration during this period. These offenses built on his earlier record of theft and robbery, keeping him entangled in the criminal justice system. In 1996 and 1997, just before his music career gained traction, Simmons encountered more serious charges involving and weapons possession, resulting in terms that complicated his nascent professional pursuits. These cases included convictions related to illegal weapons and further attempts, adding to his pre-fame legal burdens. Overall, Simmons experienced over 10 incarcerations before achieving fame in 1998, a toll that reflected his turbulent youth and persistent struggles with and .

Rise-era incidents (1998–2005)

During the height of his commercial success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, DMX, born Earl Simmons, faced multiple legal challenges in the that highlighted ongoing issues with drugs, violence, and . In June 1998, shortly after the release of his debut album, Simmons was arrested in on charges of , , and unlawful stemming from an alleged incident with a ; DNA evidence cleared him, and the charges were dropped in August 1998. In April 1999, during a tour stop in , , he was implicated in a and at an after-party; witnesses identified him as part of the group involved, but authorities declined to file charges in May 1999 due to insufficient evidence. In May 1999, he was arrested in , on assault charges after allegedly attacking a man, though the case was later dropped. Just a month later, on June 20, 1999, authorities raided his , home, discovering a loaded , drug paraphernalia, and 13 pit bulls housed in cramped, unsanitary conditions, leading to charges of weapons possession, drug paraphernalia possession, and an initial probe into animal cruelty. DMX pleaded guilty to the weapons charge, receiving a one-year sentence and fines, while the animal cruelty aspect remained pending. The following year, DMX's troubles continued with a March 2000 arrest near , shortly after a concert, where he was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree, and possession of . He turned himself in and pleaded guilty to lesser charges of driving while impaired and marijuana possession, resulting in a 15-day jail term served at the Erie County Correctional Facility starting in late February 2001, along with a $500 fine and community service. While incarcerated, DMX was arraigned on a charge for allegedly throwing objects at and injuring a corrections officer during a routine cell search; he countered by claiming the officer had assaulted him first, but the charge proceeded. In January 2002, DMX resolved the lingering 1999 animal cruelty case by pleading guilty to 13 counts of third-degree animal cruelty and two counts of related to the neglected pit bulls, avoiding further jail time by agreeing to record announcements denouncing animal abuse and performing 45 hours of . In June 2004, DMX was arrested at in New York for marijuana possession, criminal impersonation after posing as a federal agent, assault, and criminal mischief during an attempted ; he pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and criminal impersonation, receiving a sentence of 70 days in jail. These incidents imposed strict conditions, including regular check-ins and travel restrictions, which forced the cancellation of several tour dates and promotional appearances during his peak album releases like ...And Then There Was X (1999) and The Great Depression (2001). The repeated arrests also fueled brief escalations in public feuds, such as tensions with rival artists, occasionally spilling into threats of violence that drew media scrutiny.

Mid-2000s cases (2006–2011)

In 2007, authorities conducted a raid on DMX's residence in , uncovering approximately half a pound of a substance suspected to be narcotics (which later tested negative for illegal drugs), which led to charges of drug possession alongside investigations into animal cruelty. This incident marked an escalation in his legal troubles amid ongoing struggles with , as deputies also discovered malnourished dogs on the property, including the seizure of 12 pit bulls and the discovery of three dead dogs with serious wounds. Later that year, DMX faced additional scrutiny when three dogs buried at the home were found to have sustained serious wounds, further compounding the animal-related allegations. By 2008, DMX's arrests intensified, beginning with drug possession and animal cruelty charges stemming from the prior year's raid, during which traces of narcotics were found in a subsequent search of his home. He was also indicted on identity theft for using the alias "Troy Jones" and a false to receive medical treatment for at a , thereby avoiding payment of the bill. In December, DMX pleaded guilty to one count each of animal cruelty, theft, marijuana possession, and , resulting in a 90-day jail sentence served in a Phoenix facility. These cases, combined with subsequent violations, led to multiple incarcerations totaling over a year, including a six-month term in 2009 for related breaches. DMX's legal issues continued into 2010–2011 with repeated violations stemming from relapses, despite court-mandated rehabilitation efforts. In March 2010, he was arrested in Phoenix for using illegal , including , over the previous nine months, in violation of his terms from the 2008 convictions. Authorities confirmed positive tests for and unprescribed OxyContin, leading to a one-year sentence after he admitted to the relapses and alcohol use. In November 2010, another arrest followed for similar breaches involving possession, resulting in additional jail time. These incidents highlighted persistent challenges, with DMX ordered into treatment programs that he repeatedly failed to complete without . The cumulative legal fees from these cases exacerbated his financial instability during a period of career downturn.

Later convictions (2012–2019)

In 2013, DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, faced a misdemeanor charge for simple possession of marijuana following an arrest on August 20 in Greer, South Carolina. Police stopped a vehicle in which he was a passenger for an improper lane change and discovered three bags of marijuana on the floorboard, leading to his booking at Greer City Jail alongside a charge for failure to appear on a prior warrant; he was released on bail shortly after. The marijuana possession was classified as a misdemeanor under South Carolina law, resulting in probation rather than extended incarceration. In 2015, DMX faced multiple arrests related to unpaid . In July, he was sentenced to six months in jail by an Erie County Family Court for failing to pay approximately $400,000 owed to his ex-wife Tashera Simmons. He was released after serving the term but was arrested again in on a warrant for ongoing non-payment, spending additional time in custody before posting bail. DMX's most significant legal challenge during this period emerged in 2017 with a federal for tax fraud in the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors accused him of engaging in a multi-year scheme from approximately 2010 to 2016 to evade approximately $1.7 million in liabilities by concealing earnings from music tours, advances, and royalties, including directing payments to his manager's account and using cash to avoid banking records. He was arrested on July 13, 2017, and initially pleaded not guilty to 14 counts, including evasion of assessment and filing false tax returns. On November 30, 2017, DMX changed his plea to guilty on one count of tax fraud in federal court, admitting to the deliberate avoidance of taxes on over $1.7 million in income. U.S. District Judge accepted the plea, noting the scheme's brazen nature, and scheduled sentencing for March 2018. During the proceedings, his defense highlighted his history of as a contributing factor to his financial mismanagement, though the court focused on the intentional evasion. At his sentencing on , , DMX was imposed a one-year term, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,292,200 in restitution to the IRS. He began serving his sentence in April 2018 at FCI in and was released early on , , after good behavior credits reduced his time by about three months. The supervised release, which extended until early 2021, included conditions such as mandatory drug testing and financial reporting, tying into his ongoing battles with that had exacerbated his legal troubles.

Health struggles and death

Ongoing health issues

DMX's struggles with began in his early teens, when he was introduced to at age 14 by an older mentor, marking the onset of a lifelong that intensified in the as his music career took off. During this period, he developed a severe dependence on and crack, leading to multiple overdoses that highlighted the escalating dangers of his habit. In the early , DMX was diagnosed with , a condition that compounded his and contributed to erratic behavior documented in his music and interviews. His preexisting worsened due to prolonged drug use, exacerbating respiratory issues and leading to health scares that interrupted his professional life. These physical complications were intertwined with challenges, including depression and , often explored in his lyrics as conflicts between his spiritual beliefs and personal demons. By the 2010s, the cumulative effects of decades of had caused significant liver and damage, prompting numerous rehab stints throughout his career—several of which were court-mandated as part of legal oversight. In 2016, he collapsed outside a hotel in , due to an overdose and was hospitalized after being revived with Narcan, an incident linked to his history of and . Despite repeated efforts at recovery, including a notable 2019 rehab program focused on sobriety, his chronic health battles persisted, reflecting the profound toll of on both body and mind.

Final days and cause of death

On April 2, 2021, DMX, born Earl Simmons, suffered a heart attack at his home in , and was rushed to Medical Center, where he was placed on a in critical condition. The incident stemmed from an overdose, marking a tragic culmination of his long struggle with . Over the following days, DMX remained in a on as his and medical team monitored his condition closely. On , a prayer organized by his and the Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation drew hundreds of supporters outside the hospital, with media coverage amplifying the public . function tests conducted on April 7 and 8 revealed no improvement, leaving his to face difficult decisions about continuing . DMX died on April 9, 2021, at the age of 50. The Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office later determined the official as a cocaine-induced heart attack that restricted blood flow to his brain, based on reports. No was ultimately performed, though the medical findings confirmed the overdose as the trigger. In the immediate aftermath, DMX's family navigated estate matters amid his lack of a will and 15 children from multiple relationships, leading to ongoing legal disputes that included questions over arrangements and asset distribution, though no public conflict specifically over his remains emerged at the time. The disputes continued into 2025, with a New York court ruling in April 2025 that his ex-wife Tashera Simmons does not co-own his or rights, affirming the estate's sole control.

Legacy

Influence on hip-hop

DMX pioneered an aggressive, growl-infused delivery in hip-hop that emphasized raw intensity and theatricality, distinguishing him from the smoother flows of mid-1990s rap and revitalizing the genre's hardcore edge. His signature barking ad-libs and gruff vocal style, often likened to a snarling dog, conveyed unfiltered menace and urgency, as heard in tracks like from his 1998 debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot. This approach influenced subsequent artists, with citing DMX's passionate authenticity as a key inspiration for his own emotional ferocity in rap, while admired and emulated the street-hardened credibility in DMX's lyrical bravado during the early 2000s. Central to DMX's impact was his seamless blending of gritty street narratives with profound spiritual introspection, a duality that elevated conscious rap by humanizing the archetype. Albums such as Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998) and (1999) juxtaposed tales of urban survival and violence with pleas for redemption and dialogues with , as in "The Convo," exposing vulnerabilities rarely articulated by Black male rappers at the time. This fusion transformed hip-hop's portrayal of pain from mere bravado to therapeutic confession, paving the way for later artists to explore and in their work and deepening the genre's emotional resonance. The Ruff Ryders collective, co-founded by DMX's managers, amplified his influence through a signature sound of high-energy, gritty beats that dominated 2000s East Coast hip-hop. Producers like crafted bombastic, anthemic tracks with pounding drums and ominous synths, as exemplified by the platinum-selling "," which became a blueprint for crew-based posse cuts and energized live performances. This aesthetic shaped the era's sound, influencing labels and artists in New York and beyond by prioritizing collective hype and unpolished aggression over polished production. DMX's commercial dominance underscored his stylistic innovations, as he became the first rapper to achieve two consecutive number-one debuts on the within one year—It's Dark and Hell Is Hot in May 1998 and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood in December 1998—selling millions and setting a benchmark for rapid album success in hip-hop. Over his career, he extended this to five straight number-one debuts through 2003, amassing over 14 million album sales in the and proving that aggressive, introspective rap could drive mainstream breakthroughs.

Cultural impact and tributes

DMX's presence extended significantly beyond music into film and television, where his intense persona and raw authenticity left a lasting mark on urban cinema and media portrayals of hip-hop artists. DMX's concert antics, particularly his barking and growling ad-libs, became emblematic of his high-energy style and spawned enduring memes within pop culture. These vocal improvisations, often likened to a dog's bark to hype crowds, were central to his live performances, turning shows into communal rituals of intensity and release, as seen in his explosive sets at venues like Woodstock '99. The "What!" interjection and dog-themed persona inspired comedic impersonations, including Katt Williams' parody in Pimp Chronicles, embedding DMX's quirks into internet humor and broader cultural references that celebrated his unfiltered charisma. In , DMX embodied the rugged aesthetic of late-1990s hip-hop, popularizing elements like gold chains, baggy sweatsuits, and fitted hats that defined urban during his peak. His style, often accessorized with prominent jewelry symbolizing toughness and success, influenced of artists and fans, setting trends in hip-hop apparel that emphasized authenticity over flashiness. DMX also appeared as a playable character in the 2003 Def Jam Vendetta, where he served as a formidable boss in the junkyard arena, his likeness and voice adding to the game's cultural fusion of hip-hop and wrestling that resonated with gamers and fans alike. As a controversial figure, DMX's lyrics frequently explored themes of personal struggle, , and street violence, sparking debates within hip-hop about whether such narratives glorified hardship or provided raw, relatable commentary on systemic issues. His candid depictions of turmoil, combined with legal troubles, drew comparisons to and fueled discussions on the genre's responsibility in portraying adversity. Following his death in April 2021, DMX received immediate tributes that highlighted his cultural footprint. At the in June 2021, a special performance curated by featured and others honoring his legacy with renditions of his hits, drawing millions of viewers in a collective celebration of his influence. In July 2021, a was unveiled at the Calcagno Houses in —his childhood home—depicting his portrait alongside lyrics from tracks like "Look Thru My Eyes," serving as a community homage to his roots and enduring presence.

Posthumous recognition

Following DMX's death in April 2021, he received posthumous acknowledgment in the of the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where he was honored alongside other fallen musicians such as of and of for his influential contributions to hip-hop and rock's broader landscape. This recognition highlighted his raw energy and cultural impact, echoing the tributes that followed his passing. In the years after, , the label central to DMX's breakthrough, organized annual celebrations to commemorate his legacy, including a major event in on the second anniversary of his death in 2023, featuring ride-outs and performances that drew thousands to honor his role in elevating the collective's street-oriented sound. These gatherings affirmed his enduring connection to the brand, which continued to host similar commemorative activities, such as West Coast ride-outs in 2024 that saluted his anthemic style. Tributes persisted into 2025, including performances by former Ruff Ryders member at concerts. The announcement in 2025 of the posthumous compilation DMX Features, featuring unreleased collaborations with artists like , , and , was noted by critics as a potential extension of his catalog capturing his unfiltered intensity. Efforts to develop a biopic about DMX's life advanced in 2024 when music executive , a key figure in his career through Ruff Ryders, announced plans for a project focusing on the rapper's triumphs and struggles, stating it would highlight his recovery from and rise in hip-hop. However, DMX's ex-wife Tashera Simmons and family publicly disputed Gotti's involvement, clarifying they were not collaborating on the endeavor and emphasizing their independent oversight of his story to ensure authenticity. Gotti died on February 5, 2025, and as of November 2025, no further developments on the project have been publicly announced. In January 2026, DMX was posthumously ordained as a minister in a ceremony scheduled for January 10 at the historic Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in New York, a 164-year-old site linked to the Underground Railroad, honoring his lifelong faith and spiritual influence.

Discography

Studio albums

DMX's debut studio album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, was released on May 19, 1998, by . It debuted at number one on the chart and was certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA on December 18, 2000. The album delved into themes of a hellish , personal demons, , and the harsh realities of street life, establishing DMX's signature aggressive delivery and raw emotional intensity. His second studio album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, released on December 22, 1998, served as a direct sequel to his debut and topped the upon release through Def Jam. Certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA on December 15, 2000, the album continued exploring spiritual turmoil and familial bonds through DMX's gritty narratives and barking ad-libs. The third studio album, ... And Then There Was X, arrived on December 21, 1999, via Def Jam. The project debuted at number one on the and earned 5× Platinum certification from the RIAA on February 7, 2001, marking it as DMX's best-selling album. It incorporated pop-leaning crossovers while retaining his hardcore edge, featuring collaborations with artists like and to broaden its appeal. DMX's fourth studio album, The Great Depression, was released on November 6, 2001, by . It debuted at number one on the and was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA. The album addressed themes of personal hardship and resilience amid his rising fame. In 2003, DMX issued his fifth studio album on September 16 via , which debuted at number one on the and received certification from the RIAA. The album reflected on his career highs and personal battles, with sales exceeding 1 million units in the U.S. by 2009. DMX's sixth studio album, , came out on August 1, 2006, under Ruff Ryders and Urban Music/. It peaked at number two on the and sold over 300,000 copies amid shifting industry trends. The record attempted to recapture his early momentum with high-energy tracks and guest features from artists like . DMX's seventh and final lifetime studio album, Undisputed, was released on , 2012, by Seven Arts Music. It debuted at number 19 on the , with U.S. sales around 17,000 in its first week, and did not receive . The project addressed themes of redemption and resilience, produced by , , and others. DMX had completed work on an eighth studio album titled Exodus prior to his death in 2021, intended as a return to Def Jam, but it remained unreleased during his lifetime and was handled as a posthumous project.

Compilation and posthumous albums

DMX's compilation albums primarily served as retrospectives of his career highlights, released through his longtime label Def Jam Recordings. The first major compilation, The Best of DMX, was issued in 2006, featuring key singles such as "Party Up (Up in Here)," "Ruff Ryders' Anthem," and "X Gon' Give It to Ya," which captured his signature aggressive style and commercial peaks from the late 1990s and early 2000s. This collection peaked at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart following renewed interest after his death. In 2007, Def Jam released The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter, a greatest hits package that included tracks like "What These Bitches Want" featuring Sisqó and "Where the Hood At," emphasizing his Ruff Ryders era collaborations and raw lyrical delivery. The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200, selling over 35,000 copies in its first week, and solidified DMX's enduring appeal amid his legal and personal challenges. A Record Store Day exclusive in 2020, The Legacy, expanded on this formula as an official best-of set, incorporating fan-favorite cuts and marking Def Jam's effort to honor his catalog comprehensively. DMX also contributed significantly to film soundtracks, blending his intense rap delivery with cinematic themes. On the 2000 Romeo Must Die soundtrack, he appeared on "Come Back in One Piece" with , produced by , and delivered the gritty "First I'm Gonna Crawl," both showcasing his ability to fuse hip-hop with R&B elements for broader appeal. Similarly, his track "No Sunshine" featured on the Exit Wounds soundtrack in 2001, highlighting his post-millennium versatility in media tie-ins. Following DMX's death on April 9, 2021, several posthumous projects emerged, completing unfinished work and celebrating his legacy. Exodus, released on May 28, 2021, via Ruff Ryders, Bloodline, and Def Jam, was produced entirely by and featured high-profile guests including on "Bathroom" (also with ), on "Walking in the Rain," and on "I Don't Dance." The 16-track debuted at number 8 on the with 32,000 equivalent units, blending spiritual introspection with his signature aggression, and marked his first release in nearly a decade. Let Us Pray: Chapter X, issued on December 13, 2024, by Def Jam, focused on DMX's spiritual side, with producer setting his prayers and spoken-word elements to music across eight tracks. Notable features included on "Favor," emphasizing themes of and resilience, while instrumentals accompanied select cuts to highlight DMX's raw vocal delivery; the project underscored his lifelong blend of hip-hop and influences. DMX Features, announced for release in summer 2025 via Def Jam, will compile unreleased collaborations recorded throughout his career. Led by the single "Bring Out the Worst" with Joyner Lucas, it also includes appearances from Wiz Khalifa, Kevin Gates, and others, celebrating DMX's collaborative impact and providing fresh insight into his vault of material.

Awards and nominations

Music awards

DMX garnered recognition from several prominent music award ceremonies, particularly for his contributions to hip-hop, though he remained winless at the Grammys despite multiple nominations. At the , he won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist in 2000 for his dominant presence in the genre that year. He received a nomination for the same category in 2001, reflecting his continued popularity. The acknowledged his breakthrough single with a for Best Rap Video for "" in 1999, highlighting the track's raw energy and cultural resonance in hip-hop visuals. DMX earned three Grammy nominations during his lifetime, with no wins: Best Rap Album for ...And Then There Was X in 2001, Best Rap Solo Performance for "Party Up (Up in Here)" in 2001, and Best Rap Solo Performance for "Who We Be" in 2002. Posthumously, he was nominated for Best Rap Song for "" (featuring and ) at the in 2022.

Other honors

In addition to his genre-specific music accolades, DMX received recognition for his broader contributions as an entertainer and artist. At the 1999 , he won the R&B Album Artist of the Year award for his breakthrough success with Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, marking a pivotal moment in his career where he delivered an impromptu during his acceptance speech, emphasizing his amid rising fame. The following year, DMX was honored at the 2000 American Music Awards with the Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist award, defeating nominees Jay-Z and Juvenile, in acknowledgment of his dominant commercial impact and cultural resonance during the late 1990s hip-hop landscape. DMX also earned the prestigious Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year – Male at the 2000 Soul Train Music Awards, celebrating his multifaceted influence across music, performance, and personal storytelling, shared that year with Mary J. Blige in the female category. Posthumously, DMX's hometown of Yonkers has continued to pay tribute through annual celebrations on DMX Day, observed every —his birthday—featuring community events, performances, and reflections on his legacy as a local icon who rose from to global stardom. A permanent depicting DMX was unveiled in July 2021 at the Calcagno Homes complex where he grew up, restored and dedicated by city officials and the Ruff Ryders collective as a symbol of his enduring roots and inspiration.

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  47. https://hiphop-n-more.com/2017/01/dmx-bain-iz-back-feat-swizz-beatz-new-song/
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  51. https://pitchfork.com/news/dmxs-posthumous-lp-exodus-to-feature-jay-z-nas-bono-and-more/
  52. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/dmx-posthumous-spiritual-album-let-us-pray-chapter-x-1235811186/
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  55. https://www.revolt.tv/article/dmxs-legacy-lives-on-with-posthumous-dmx-features-album
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  58. https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/ruff-ryderz-dmx-tribute-anniversary-1234740850/
  59. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/854235-dmx-killer-mike-mary-mary-royznoyz-orchestra-favor-stream
  60. https://www.vice.com/en/article/posthumous-dmx-album-announced-alongside-new-joyner-lucas-featuring-single-bring-out-the-worst/
  61. https://www.blackfilm.com/read/dmxs-final-film-fast-vengeance-is-now-streaming-on-tubi/
  62. https://variety.com/lists/dmx-top-film-roles-romeo-must-die-belly/
  63. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/never_die_alone
  64. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jump_out_boys
  65. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/death_toll
  66. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13930868/
  67. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0353049/episodes/?season=2
  68. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0822467/
  69. https://www.vh1.com/shows/couples-therapy-with-doctor-jenn/400ckv/season-1
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  71. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33476983/
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  73. https://hiphopdx.com/news/dmx-family-denies-biopic-irv-gotti/
  74. https://www.revolt.tv/article/dmx-s-ex-wife-is-not-partnering-with-irv-gotti-on-rapper-s-biopic
  75. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/how-dmx-found-god/
  76. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dmx-gospel-album-1271728/
  77. https://rapzilla.com/2021-04-dmx-a-look-at-every-christian-rap-prayer-from-his-albums/
  78. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s20KUdkG8cM
  79. https://genius.com/Dmx-prayer-iii-lyrics
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  81. https://www.xxlmag.com/dmx-speaks-on-religious-aspirations-during-prison-interview/
  82. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/dmx-unreleased-two-disc-gospel-album-1235014211/
  83. https://www.bet.com/article/b6ln82/dmx-to-be-posthumously-ordained-at-historic-foster-memorial-church
  84. https://www.theroot.com/dmx-will-be-posthumously-ordained-as-a-minister-in-a-mo-2000082943
  85. https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/dmx-posthumously-ordained-minister-historic-underground-railroad-church
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  87. https://www.christianpost.com/news/rapper-dmx-on-his-calling-to-become-a-pastor.html
  88. https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/who-are-dmx-children-kids-names-ages-instagram-revealed/
  89. https://people.com/music/dmx-family-addresses-memorial-service-master-recordings/
  90. https://people.com/parents/dmx-fiancee-reveals-their-son-exodus-5-has-stage-3-chronic-kidney-disease-but-is-stable/
  91. https://nypost.com/2008/01/12/court-pops-daddy-dmx-for-1-5m/
  92. https://ctfamilylaw.com/blog/rapper-dmx-settles-1-million-child-support-case/
  93. https://decider.com/2021/04/11/dmx-vh1-couples-therapy/
  94. https://www.facebook.com/mtvza/posts/dmx-had-a-complicated-relationship-with-his-kids-but-after-some-vital-changes-th/1141005298065245/
  95. https://genius.com/a/jay-z-cleared-a-12-million-debt-for-dmx-so-he-could-leave-def-jam
  96. https://www.finance-monthly.com/dmx-net-worth/
  97. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/22/magazine/dmx-death.html
  98. https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/dmx-owes-15-million-back-taxes-48043/
  99. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dmx-files-nyc-lawsuit-claiming-stolen-royalties-958466/
  100. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/dmx-files-bankruptcy-595689/
  101. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/dmx-filed-bankruptcy-overcome-touring-18649075
  102. https://nypost.com/2021/04/06/dmx-and-the-houses-hes-lost-during-his-rap-career/
  103. https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/styles-p-dmx-we-dont-give-a-fck-ja-rule-diss
  104. https://www.revolt.tv/article/2017-11-09/34637/drink-champs-irv-gotti-on-the-time-he-accidentally-produced-a-ja-rule-diss-record-for-dmx
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  106. https://www.okayplayer.com/ruff-ryder-founders-explain-reasons-for-jay-z-and-dmx-past-beef/532074
  107. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/288756-jay-z-and-dmx-past-beef-explained-by-ruff-ryders-founders-news
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  115. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1998/06/19/rapper-dmx-charged-with-rape-of-woman-in-new-york/44007169-2a03-42d3-ad43-73cf98f5a3fc/
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  133. https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/unlucky-7-dmx-sentenced-one-year-prison-56009/
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  146. https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/rapper-dmx-sentenced-to-one-year-in-prison-for-tax-fraud-idUSKBN1H43DJ/
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  149. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/09/us-rapper-dmx-dies-aged-50-following-heart-attack
  150. https://www.bet.com/article/1py17s/dmx-talks-about-bipolar-disorder-drug-addiction
  151. https://variety.com/2021/music/news/dmx-dead-dies-1234948026/
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  153. https://people.com/music/dmx-family-speaks-out-about-his-serious-health-issues-hospitalization/
  154. https://people.com/music/dmx-dead-age-50-after-suffering-heart-attack/
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  159. https://people.com/music/comatose-dmx-to-undergo-brain-function-tests-waiting-on-next-steps-says-manager/
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  161. https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2021/04/24/dmx-cause-of-death/
  162. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/dmxs-family-rumors-funeral-master-recordings
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  164. https://hiphopdx.com/news/dmx-ex-wife-loses-legal-battle-estate-catalog
  165. https://www.billboard.com/lists/hip-hop-record-labels/
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  167. https://www.revolt.tv/article/dmx-iconic-live-performances-woodstock-bb-kings
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  169. https://www.essence.com/fashion/dmx-style-moments-throughout-his-career/
  170. https://uproxx.com/edge/dmx-death-def-jam-vendetta-twitter-reaction/
  171. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-dec-05-ca-40513-story.html
  172. https://www.bet.com/article/jsacc9/special-dmx-tribute-announced-for-bet-awards-2021
  173. https://www.bet.com/article/59jshu/dmx-mural-unveiled-at-housing-complex-he-once-lived
  174. https://loudwire.com/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2021-in-memoriam-segment/
  175. https://theindustrycosign.com/ruff-ryders-planning-dmx-tribute-in-new-york-city-on-anniversary-of-his-death/
  176. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6CSdmSvRiZ/?hl=en
  177. https://hypebeast.com/2024/9/dmx-family-not-working-on-irv-gotti-documentary
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  183. https://genius.com/albums/Dmx/Flesh-of-my-flesh-blood-of-my-blood
  184. https://defjamshop.com/products/dmx-and-then-there-was-x-2lp
  185. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-great-depression-mw0000590575
  186. https://www.allmusic.com/album/grand-champ-mw0002016697
  187. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/737805-dmx-best-selling-album-and-then-there-was-x
  188. https://www.allmusic.com/album/year-of-the-dogagain-mw0000571659
  189. https://genius.com/albums/Dmx/Undisputed
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  194. https://www.soundtrackcollector.com/title/35527/Romeo%2BMust%2BDie
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  197. https://defjamshop.com/products/dmx-let-us-pray-chapter-x-lp
  198. http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/mtvvmas.htm
  199. https://www.billboard.com/photos/dmx-dead-photo-gallery/
  200. https://variety.com/2000/music/news/santana-s-supernatural-wins-ama-s-best-album-1117761013/
  201. https://www.bet.com/soul-train-awards/articles/lxhqff/soul-train-awards-2022-maryj-blige-memorable-moments
  202. https://westchester.news12.com/remembering-and-honoring-yonkers-legend-dmx-on-dmx-day
  203. https://www.mhacy.org/news/yonkers-memorializes-dmx-with-a-new-mural/
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