With characters all voiced by DMX, the track is about the relationship between the rapper and a fictional man named Damien. "Damien"įrom DMX's second album It's Dark and Hell is Hot, "Damien" is a modern hip hop version of the German legend Faust.
In honor of Earl Simmons's life and legacy, here's Live365's Top 10 picks of DMX's greatest hits. Whenever a DMX song plays, people are bound to go wild on the dance floor. Many love the barking delivery within his tracks, which fits perfectly with his lyrical fascination with dogs. He had the rare commodity of attaining commercial success and artistic praise, while also having the street credibility to be taken seriously by the hip hop community. His rise in hardcore rap followed the deaths of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., making him the leader of the genre once the late 90s hit. After a tough life surviving on the streets, music became his saving grace. Born Earl Simmons in Mount Vernon, New York, DMX grew up in the Yonkers suburbs. While his tragic death came way too soon, it is somewhat reassuring to know the early 2000's icon left behind an incredible musical legacy.
It’s sad to know DMX is not going to be around no more.On April 9, after a heart attack triggered by a drug overdose, Yonkers-bred rapper DMX passed away while staying at White Plains Hospital, NY. “It’s just sad to know a legend like that is going to be gone,” said Jamison. “May God watch over him, and I pray for his family,” said Washington. “I won’t let you down.”Īnd now fans who had offered their support are mourning the loss of an icon. “Thank you for all of your support!” DMX responded. It’s about his abusive childhood at the hands of his parents and his very public battle with drugs.ĭuring that trial, NY1’s Dean Meminger asked the rapped what he wanted to say to all of his fans. In an effort to get the judge to be lenient, the defense played DMX’s video “Slippin” in court. In March 2018, the rapper broke even down in tears in court during sentencing for not paying $1.7 million dollars in taxes. While DMX’s music brought him wealth, fame and attention, his personal life and his personal struggles made headlines.ĭMX fathered 15 children, and even after becoming a public figure, he served jail time and had numerous run-ins with the law after charges of assault, animal abuse, failure to pay child support and more. That album sold more than 5 million copies and hit number 1 on the Billboard album chart.ĭMX soon became the first artist with five consecutive albums debuting at the top spot. Then in May of 1998 came his first album on a major label, which included the hip hop classic, “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem.” “I really really loved his music,” said Washington, “ ‘It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,’ that was my favorite album!”ĭMX built a fan base all over New York by producing and selling his own mixtapes. He could go back to the hood because he is hood!” “You can’t just place him in Yonkers because he’s so loved to everybody. “When you think of DMX, you gotta think of just New York,” said Jamison. While DMX’s music brought him wealth, fame and attention, his personal life and his personal struggles and legal issues made headlines.Yet some fans from New York City say the rapper was one of their own DMX was born in 1970 as Earl Simmons, and grew up in Yonkers, just north of the Bronx.