DMX (rapper)

DMX
DMX at the 79th Annual Academy Awards Children Uniting Nations/ Billboard afterparty, February 25, 2007
Background information
Birth name	Earl Simmons
Born	December 18, 1970 (1970-12-18) (age 40) Mount Vernon, New York[1]
Origin	Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Genres	Hardcore hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, actor
Years active	1988 – Present
Labels	Ruff Ryders, Bloodline
Associated acts	Swizz Beatz, Jadakiss, The LOX, Busta Rhymes, Ruff Ryders, Eve, Drag-On, Dame Grease
Website	www.dmxofficial.com

Earl Simmons (born December 18, 1970), better known by his stage name DMX also known as Dark Man X or The Dog or just simply X, is an American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's. To date, his best-selling album is his 1999 album ...And Then There Was X, which featured the hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)". As an actor, he also starred in the films Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 The Grave and Last Hour, and his own reality television series Soul of a Man on the American cable television network BET. In 2002, DMX wrote an autobiographical book titled E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX. He is the 5th best-selling rapper, with over 40 million units sold.

Music career

In 1991, Gabriel Grevenstuk from the The Source magazine praised him in its "Unsigned Hype" column, which highlighted unsigned hip-hop artists. Later, he was signed to the Columbia Records subsidiary Ruffhouse in 1992; under that label he released his debut single "Born Loser", which did not get much airplay. However, Ruffhouse promoted many other artists on its roster rather than DMX and so agreed to release him from his contract eventually. In 1994, he released a second single, "Make a Move". In 1997, he made a successful guest appearance on LL Cool J's "4, 3, 2, 1". Additional guest spots on Mase's "24 Hours to Live" and "Take What's Yours", and The LOX's "Money, Power & Respect" created an even stronger buzz.^[2]. DMX also made a cameo appearance in the Sum 41 music video for "Makes No Difference" ^[3].

It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998)

In May 1998, he released his debut major-label single under Def Jam Recordings, "Get At Me Dog", which was certified gold by the RIAA. His first major-label album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which included the single Ruff Ryders Anthem, was released in May 1998 and debuted on the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. It earned Simmons numerous comparisons to Tupac Shakur and sold over four million copies. Soon after the release of the album, DMX was nearly imprisoned for allegedly raping a stripper in the Bronx but was cleared by DNA evidence.^[2]

Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998)

Later that year in December, DMX released his second album. It entered the charts at number one (and stayed there for 3 consecutive weeks) with 670,000 units shipped in the first week alone. The album eventually went 4x platinum. DMX was the second rapper to have two albums released in the same year debut at number one on Billboard's Top 200, the first being Tupac Shakur.^[2]

...And Then There Was X (1999)

Simmons released his third album, ...And Then There Was X, on December 21, 1999. It debuted at number one on the pop charts, his third straight album to do so. "Party Up" was his biggest single, and became his first Top Ten hit on the R&B charts. His lead single off the album, "What's My Name?" (containing the piano prelude from Richard Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto), and third single "What These Bitches Want" (featuring Sisqo) were also popular. .....And Then There Was X is Simmons' best-selling album to date, going six times platinum.^[2]

The Great Depression (2001)

After improving his legal situation, Simmons returned to the studio and completed his fourth album, The Great Depression. Released October 3, 2001, it was his fourth straight album to debut at the top of the Billboard 200. With hits such as "Who We Be", "We Right Here", and the street track, "Shorty Was The Bomb". The Great Depression quickly went 3x platinum, but was not as commercially or critically successful as his previous album.^[2]

Grand Champ (2003)

In 2003, Grand Champ became his fifth straight album to debut at number one. This made DMX the only artist in history to have 5 albums (and his entire album catalog) debut at #1 with hits "Where Tha Hood At" and "Get it on the Floor" . After its release, he informed the public that he planned to retire, and that Grand Champ would be his final album.^[4] In June 2003, DMX was arrested for using indecent language during a performance at Saint Kitts and Nevis. The country's Information Minister alleged that a contract signed before the concert stipulated the show would be without indecent language on stage. Simmons was released on bail ($376).^[5]

Year of the Dog...Again (2006)

On January 13, 2006, DMX signed to Columbia Records, the label that released his early single "Born Loser".^[6] DMX recorded his next album while switching record labels, causing numerous delays. The album was finally released on August 1, 2006 under the title Year of the Dog...Again. It missed the number one spot in the charts by only one hundred sales. He also appeared on a remix of Busta Rhymes' "Touch It". Two more singles, "Lord Give Me A Sign" and "We In Here", followed. The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter was DMX's greatest hits album, released on June 12, 2007.^[2]

The Best of DMX (2010)

Def Jam also released a new compilation album entitled The Best of DMX ^[7][8] which features hit singles including "Where the Hood At?" and "X Gon' Give It to Ya".

Walk With Me Now and You'll Fly With Me Later (2010)

DMX recently signed to Bodog Music to release his seventh and eighth studio albums (on the same day), Walk with Me Now and You'll Fly with Me Later.^[9] X also has a Gospel album in post-production and is planning to release this back-to-back with his new rap albums in late 2010 or early 2011.

Acting career

He first starred in the 1998 movie Belly. He has starred in Never Die Alone, which was based on street novelist Donald Goines' book. He is also set to star in three upcoming films. He was set to star in Marble City, but was replaced by Ving Rhames.^[10] He starred in Carnivorous in 2009, starred in an action thriller called Last Hour which was released at the end of 2008. Another movie he starred in was Romeo Must Die co-starring next to Jet Li & Aaliyah. He also had a reality show on BET called DMX: Soul of a Man. He will also star in the 2009 Beast, the true sequel to Belly. He has finished shooting an upcoming film with Kris Kristofferson titled Lords of the Street, the release date has yet to be set. He can be seen starring alongside Clifton Powell & Vivica A. Fox in a film titled Father of Lies. In 2003 he starred in a movie called Cradle 2 the Grave, as a criminal father trying to save his daughter. In 2001 he starred in Exit Wounds as a thug Latrell Walker who uncovered a team of crooked cops along with Steven Seagal who was transferred to the roughest division in Detroit, division 15. For that movie DMX also covered the song Ain't No Sunshine under the title "No Sunshine".^[11] The song was released as a single and peaked at #67 on the US R&B Charts. A music video was produced featuring DMX performing the song against clips from the film.

Personal life

DMX was born in Mount Vernon, New York, a city just north of New York City, and relocated early in his childhood to neighboring Yonkers.^[1] He spent much time on the streets committing crimes. However, he considered hip hop to be an escape from his hard times, as he enjoyed beatboxing, turntablism, and eventually rapping. He spent much of his adolescence in and out of jail.^[2]

Since 1999, DMX has been married to Tashera Simmons^[12]. They have four children together.^[13] DMX has eight children in total^[14]. On July 22, 2010, Tashera Simmons said she was separating from DMX after 11 years marriage, just 2 weeks after he was released from jail.^[15]

Maryland resident Monique Wayne claims her son's father is DMX.^{[16][17][18][19]} She has sued him repeatedly for defamation of character^[20] and child support. A final outcome is still pending.

Feuds

Ja Rule

DMX started off as friends with Ja Rule, as well as Jay-Z. They were all part of a group at the time named Murder Inc. (name later used by Ja's producer Irv Gotti for his record label). They recorded songs under the name together. DMX and Jay-Z also guest starred on Ja Rule's first album on the track "It's Murda."

Soon after the release of his first album, Ja Rule started a longlasting feud with 50 Cent, after a robbery involving Ja Rule and 50 Cent's friend. People started picking sides. DMX sided with 50 Cent, along with Dr. Dre, Eminem, G-Unit and Busta Rhymes who also dissed Ja Rule. He joined forces with Eminem and Obie Trice to diss Ja Rule on the track "Go to Sleep" DMX dissed Ja Rule several times as well.

Eventually Ja Rule's feuds with Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre and Eminem went away. DMX and Ja Rule also recently ended their feud at VH1's 2009 Hip Hop Honors.^[21]

K-Solo

In the early stages of their careers DMX engaged in a feud with Hit Squad emcee K-Solo. When the two met in prison they had a freestyle battle. Years later both recorded songs named Spellbound and each claimed they created it. In 1998 DMX dissed K-Solo on a song called Get At Me Dog on his "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" album.

Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound

DMX was just starting his career, during the East Coast vs. West Coast feud, mainly involving 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G.. He was on the East Coast side. Soon, Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound started dissing DMX for reasons involving Foxy Brown. The feud has since calmed down, but remains unresolved.

Criminal record

In 1999, DMX joined rappers Jay-Z, Method Man, and Redman for Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life tour. DMX was arrested on, but later cleared of, charges of a stabbing at a tour stop in Boston, Massachusetts; he was also cleared of an assault charge in his hometown of Yonkers. However, in the summer of 1999, DMX and his wife were arrested and charged with animal cruelty and possession of drugs and weapons after his manager-uncle was accidentally shot at a hotel in New Jersey. Eventually, DMX successfully plea-bargained his sentence down to fines, probation, and community service. He was arrested again in March 2000 for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, failure to signal, driving without a license, failure to notify the DMV of an address change, and possession of marijuana on New York State Route 33 in Cheektowaga, New York, following a concert in Buffalo, New York. His failure to appear at his subsequent court date in Cheektowaga on March 21 led to the issue of a warrant for his arrest. He later turned himself in, plead guilty to a reduced charge of driving without a license, and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined $400. Since beginning his life as a public figure, DMX's multiple arrests have been for offenses including: animal cruelty,^[22] reckless driving,^[23] unlicensed driving, drug possession,^[24] and identity falsification.^[25] In 1999, when officers of the Fort Lee Police Department executed a search of his home, DMX promptly surrendered himself on weapons charges.^[26] He has served some jail time—a 15-day sentence in 2000 for possession of marijuana^[27] and another in 2001 for driving without a license and possession of marijuana. His appeal to reduce the 2001 sentence was denied; rather, he was charged with assault for allegedly throwing objects at prison guards. DMX entered rehab to treat his addiction to drugs in 2002.^[28][29]

In June 2004, he 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.^[30] He was given a conditional discharge on December 8, 2004, but plead guilty on October 25, 2005, to violating parole.^[31]

Mug shot of DMX taken in June 2008.

On November 18, 2005, DMX was sentenced to 70 days in jail for violating his parole; the lateness charge added a 10-day extension to the original 60-day sentence.^[32] DMX was released from jail for good behavior early on December 30, 2005.^[33]

As of December 31, 2008, DMX had plead guilty to charges of drug possession, theft, and animal cruelty and had been sentenced to 90 days.^[34][35] On May 22, 2009, DMX entered a plea agreement/change of plea, pleading guilty to attempted aggravated assault. DMX was released from jail early on July 6, 2010 after serving four out of six months for violating drug probation.^[36] On July 27, 2010, DMX turned himself in to Los Angeles Metropolitan Court for a reckless driving charge he received in 2002, and was sent to Jail for 90 days.^{[37] [38]}

Pastoral ministry

In 2009, DMX claimed he would pursue preaching but will also continue to do music. He completed a Gospel album prior to his incarceration. His beliefs were criticized since many of his albums use vulgarity, violence and racial slurs. According to many sources such as MTV, he semi-retired to study the Bible more, in an effort to give messages behind the pulpit, but has since decided to return to rap after being encouraged by Mase to wait for God's calling to do so.^[39]

Discography

Filmography

• 1998: Belly
• 2000: Romeo Must Die
• 2000: Backstage
• 2001: Exit Wounds
• 2003: Cradle 2 the Grave
• 2003: Def Jam Vendetta (voice)
• 2004: Never Die Alone
• 2006: DMX: Soul of a Man
• 2008: Lords of the Street
• 2008: Last Hour
• 2008: Death Toll
• 2008: Lockjaw: Rise of the Kulev Serpent
• 2009: The Bleeding
• TBA: DMX: This Life of Mine^[41]

References

External links

• Official DMX website
• DMX on Myspace
• DMX at the Internet Movie Database