DMX is the undisputed king of hardcore rap.
Childhood and youth of Earl Simmons
Earl Simmons was born December 18, 1970 in Mount Vernon, New York. He moved with his family to suburban New York when he was still a young child. A difficult childhood made him cruel. He lived and survived on the streets thanks to robberies, which led to problems with the law.
As the artist admits, he found his salvation in hip-hop. Started as a DJ in one of the clubs. Later he switched to rap. He took his name from the digital drum machine DMX ("Dark Man X"). He made a name for himself in the freestyle battle scene. An article was published about him in Source magazine in 1991.
The following year, Columbia Ruffhouse signed him to a contract and released the first song, Born Loser. However, the composition was not a significant success. In 1994, he released another single, Make a Move. But in the same year, the singer was convicted of possession of drugs. It became the biggest crime on his record.
DMX music career
In 1997, he signed with another company, Shot with Def Jam. Then he released his first single Def Jam Get at Me Dog. The song became a "golden" hit in the rap industry and dance charts. The single, debuting at the top of the pop charts, paved the way for a full DMX debut. The song has sold over 4 million copies. After the release of the single, DMX was compared to Tupac for a similar style of performance.
Shortly after the release of the album (1998), DMX was accused of raping a dancer in the Bronx. But later he was acquitted with the help of DNA evidence. He then made his feature film debut, starring in the ambitious but unsuccessful film Hype Williams.
Before the end of 1998, Simmons completed his second album. Thanks to a photo of the rapper on the cover, covered in blood, the song Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood entered the charts at number 1 and went triple platinum.
Crime events in the life of rapper DMX
The following year, DMX traveled with Jay-Z and the Method Man/Redman team on the Hard Knock Life Tour. During a tour stop in Denver, a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the stabbing.
He was accused of assaulting a Junkers man who molested his wife (the charges were again dropped). More serious charges were brought when Earl's manager was accidentally shot in the leg at a hotel. The police later ransacked Earl's home. Charged the rapper and his wife with animal cruelty, possession of weapons and drugs.
He agreed to fines and a suspended sentence. In the midst of these difficulties, the Ruff Ryders unit, of which the rapper was one of the founders, released the compilation Ryde or Die Vol 1.
At the end of 1999, Simmons released a third compilation, which debuted at number 1 on the charts. He also released his biggest hit single since Party Up (Upin Here). The single became his tenth hit on the R&B charts.
And Then There Was X is the rapper's most popular disc to date. It has sold over 5 million copies. Simmons returned to the big screen with a starring role in Jet Li Action flick Romeo Must Die.
Earl Simmons drug lawsuit
In June 2000, a Westchester County jury indicted him on arms and drug trafficking charges. He got involved in a legal battle with police in Cheektowag when he was arrested for driving without a license and possession of marijuana.
He missed one court session. When the singer turned himself in in May, police found more marijuana in a pack of cigarettes.
He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 days in prison. His appeal for a reduced sentence was finally dismissed in early 2001.
After several weeks of delay, he turned himself in to the police and was charged with contempt of court. The rapper was charged with assault after learning that he would not be released early for good behavior. He allegedly threw a tray of food at a group of prison officers.
He later reduced the charge to reckless assault and paid a fine. He also accused the guards of beating him and causing a minor injury to his leg.
Cinematic DMX activities
His latest Steven Seagal film Exit Wounds was #1 at the box office. DMX contributed the hit single No Sunshine to the soundtrack and signed a multi-movie deal with Warner Bros.
With his legal issues resolved, he returned to the studio. He completed his fourth album, The Great Depression, which was released in the fall of 2001.
In late 2002, Simmons published his memoir EARL: The Autobiography of DMX. He also recorded several tracks with Audioslave.
Here I Come was featured on the soundtrack of the next film, Cradle 2 the Grave. The film ended up at number 1 upon its release in March 2003. The film's soundtrack debuted in the top ten.
In 2010, a 90-day sentence turned into a year in prison after alcohol consumption triggered a parole violation.
DMX returned to Undisputed, released by Seven Arts, hit the top 20. Seven Arts also released an unofficial eighth album, Redemption of the Beast, in early 2015.
The album led to the rapper suing the label. Later, another criminal charge led to 60 days in prison for non-payment of child support.
Earl Simmons Personal Life
From 1999 to 2014 The rapper was married to Tasher Simmons. In marriage, the couple had four children. The family broke up due to rumors about the betrayal of the artist. In 2016, DMX had a son with new lover Desiree Lindstrom.
Last years DMX
In 2019, the rapper was released from prison after serving time for tax evasion. DMX is currently in rehab. The artist has canceled all his concerts for the near future.
Death of rapper DMX
In early April 2021, the popular American rapper DMX was hospitalized in a clinic. It turned out that he had a heart attack due to an overdose of illegal drugs.
For several days, doctors fought for the life of the rap legend. Doctors did not give a chance that he would live, since the rapper was in a vegetative state.
On April 9, 2021, Pitchfork announced the sad news - the rapper's heart stopped. Family representatives said that DMX died in a New York City clinic after several days on life support.
Rapper DMX's posthumous album release
At the end of May 2021, the premiere of the posthumous album of the American rapper took place. The rap artist's longplay was called Exodus, and the compilation was produced by Swizz Beatz. The album was topped by 13 tracks and featured leading American rappers and DMX's son.
