Legendary Rapper DMX Passes Away at 50
posted by Ford Bowles | April 16, 2021 | In NewsThis past week, rapper, DMX died at the age of 50. The cultural icon and legendary rapper passed away after suffering an apparent drug overdose and subsequent heart attack. After being hospitalized on April 2, he fought to stay alive for several days, sadly succumbing to his injuries a week later on April 9.
Born Earl Simmons in Mount Vernon, New York, DMX spent many of his formative years in Yonkers. Living in a single parent household, as his father was mainly absent from his life, he had a tumultuous and turbulent upbringing.
Simmons was abused by his mother and her various boyfriends, suffered from bronchial asthma (the reason for his signature, “gruff sound” he brought to his music), was hit by a drunk driver while trying to cross the street, and had to sleep on the floor with roaches and mice crawling over him.
His mother was one of the main sources of pain and trauma for him, having recalled numerous events of betrayal, abuse, and manipulation from his childhood. When he was 14, he began living on the streets to remove himself from his mother’s abusive presence, sleeping in Salvation Army clothes bins. He also became addicted to crack around this time, which would become a lifelong struggle of his, culminating in his tragic death.
His mother sent him to a group home soon after this, where his life would change for the better. He met and befriended a number of fellow students from New York who shared his love for hip-hop music. He performed for them, and they encouraged him to begin writing his own music.
Soon after, he met a local rapper, Ready Ron, who saw promise in him and wanted to partner with him. Simmons chose the rap name DMX, after an instrument he used at the boys’ home, the Oberheim DMX.
His raspy, gruff, and growly voice made his music instantly recognizable for listeners, which later would be a major part of his success in the rap game.
He was signed by Columbia’s Ruffhouse imprint, however, was dropped after only two singles releases. Def Jam picked him up after a few years of releasing material, which gave him a huge opportunity to make a name for himself.
During the next half decade, that is exactly what he did, rising to one of the biggest names in all of rap, transcending even Jay-Z, Biggie, and Nas for a period of time.
His debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” was met with critical and commercial success, selling 251,000 copies its first week of release. It is currently certified 4x Platinum by the RIAA.
He raised the bar on his 1999 sophomore release, “… And Then There Was X,” going 5x platinum and being nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2001 Grammy’s.
DMX’s third studio album, “The Great Depression,” was his fourth straight project to debut atop the Billboard 200. His commercial success, however, was not his only memorable accomplishment.
DMX was known and is remembered as a game changer in the world of rap and hip-hop, with his raw emotional lyrics and passionate delivery.
He didn’t aspire to be commercially successful or famous, he just wanted to be purely himself, which he absolutely did. The life of DMX will be remembered as one lived fully in his true self, not compromising to anyone or anything. He will be sorely missed by friends, family, fans, and collaborators alike.
Photo courtesy of Judy Van Der Veldon
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