DMX
Earl Simmons (born December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland), also known as Dark Man X, The Divine Master of the Unknown, or simply DMX, is an African-American rapper and actor, who was most famous in the late-1990s. His dark, gothic subject matter (usually depicting a tortured soul torn between the sacred and the profane) and his gruff, barked rhymes were acclaimed by fans and critics alike. He is considered one of the greatest rap artists of all time, and crossed over genres, appealing to both hardcore rap and rock/metal fans.
Biography
Earl was the only child of a single mother, and grew up in the projects of Mount Vernon, New York. Simmons ended up growing up in the inner city of Yonkers, New York after behavioral problems he encountered in Mount Vernon. He began rapping around the age of 13, amusing crowds of kids with rhymes that relied on spelled-out words, a style he called "spellbound." A local rapper eventually asked the young Earl to beatbox for him, and Simmons agreed, taking the name DMX from a digital sound machine. Eventually he decided to try his hand at serious rapping, and honed his skills during a stint at a group home.
By high school, X had given up on his education and began robbing pedestrians regularly to get by. He also got into fights and frequently was on the run from police; during this period, he also began doing shows and battling other rappers, making a name for himself in the New York area. At this point his initials were said to stand for Dog Man X, Dark Man of the Unknown and Dark Man X.
===Recording career=== In and out of jail, DMX decided to focus solely on his rap career and disavowed crime. He began seriously looking for a deal and linked up with Irv Gotti a A&R for Def Jam at the time. Eventually, he signed a management deal with Ruff Ryders. They negotiated deals with both Bad Boy and Death Row Records, but eventually landed him at Def Jam.
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
DMX's debut single was "Get At Me Dog", which was an instant hit. His critically-acclaimed debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, is often credited with revitalizing Hardcore Rap in the mainstream scene, after the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., and after Puff Daddy and Bad Boy Entertainment briefly dominated the charts with their pop-oriented and sample-reliant tunes.
In 1997, he earned a second major-label shot with Def Jam, and made a successful guest appearance on LL Cool J's "4, 3, 2, 1." More guest spots on Ma$e's "24 Hours to Live" and fellow Yonkers MCs the LOX's "Money, Power, & Respect" created an even stronger buzz, and in early 1998, he released his debut Def Jam single, "Get At Me Dog." The song went gold and was a hit on the rap and dance charts. The single paved the way for DMX to release his first full-length album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which debuted as number one on the pop charts.
Produced mostly by Damon "Dame Grease" Blackman, (most believe Swizz Beatz produced this album due his heavy involvement with X's later albums, when in reality, Swizz only produced "Ruff Ryder's Anthem".) It's Dark and Hell Is Hot earned DMX numerous comparisons to Tupac Shakur for his booming and aggressive presence on the mic, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot sold over four million copies. Shortly after the album's release in May 1998, DMX was accused of raping a stripper in the Bronx, but was later cleared by DNA evidence. He made his film debut in Hype Williams' ambitious & successful Belly.
Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
DMX completed his second album before the end of 1998, and a pending buyout of Def Jam pushed the record into stores that December. Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood featured a controversial cover photo of the rapper covered in blood, and it entered the charts at number one and eventually went triple platinum. DMX hit the road with Jay-Z and the Method Man/Redman team on the blockbuster Hard Knock Life tour the following year.
A warrant for his arrest was issued in connection with a stabbing during a tour stop in Denver, of which he was later cleared. He was accused of assaulting a Yonkers man who'd allegedly harassed his wife in May (the charges were once again dropped). More serious charges were brought that summer, when DMX's uncle/manager was accidentally shot in the foot at a New Jersey hotel. DMX's home was raided by Police, and they filed animal cruelty, weapons, and drug possession charges against the rapper and his wife; he eventually plea-bargained down to fines, probation, and community service.
...And Then There Was X
DMX released his third album toward the end of 1999, ...And Then There Was X, which was his third straight album to debut at number one. "Party Up (Up in Here)" was his biggest single since "Get at Me Dog" which became his first Top Ten hit on the R&B charts. His next singles off the album "What You Want" and "What's My Name?" were also popular, and ...And Then There Was X was the rapper's best-selling album to date as a result, moving over six million copies.
The Great Depression
After finally resolving his legal problems, DMX returned to the studio and completed his fourth album, The Great Depression. Fans denoted it as more introspective, and it was his fourth straight album to debut at number one, released in the fall of 2001. It went platinum quickly but it didn't have the same shelf life as his previous releases.
Grand Champion
Grand Champion was DMX's fifth straight album to debut at number one. Fans and critics claimed disappointment with the album, most stating that it felt formulaic. After its release, DMX informed the public that he planned on retiring from the rap game and that Grand Champ would be his final album. However he has currently decided to end his brief retirement, and plans on releasing a new and upcoming album.
Rumors that DMX had signed with G-Unit were dispelled at a press conference DMX had on Friday, January 13, 2006. DMX is signed to Sony BMG under the Columbia Records moniker .
Year of the Dog, Again
Rumored to be DMX's sixth solo album, this has had numerous problems with DMX switching record labels and numerous delays. Songs from it have supposedly been leaked, and some guests are supposedly the members of D-Block, as always. On Amazon the release date has actually jokingly been put at January 1, 2010, however it should be released soon, 2006 or 2007. In March, 2006 it was announced that the album had been renamed to "Year of the Dog, Again," from "Here We Go, Again." When DMX switched to Sony, Def Jam allowed him to keep all of the tracks he had created for the album. However, most of tracks are reportedly being reworked, with updated production.
Acting career
DMX made his film debut in Belly, which he co-starred in with fellow rappers Method Man and Nas. DMX returned to the big screen with a major supporting role with Aaliyah and Jet Li in Romeo Must Die. After DMX's release from jail, he starred in the Steven Seagal action film Exit Wounds, which opened at number one at the box office. DMX contributed the hit single "No Sunshine" to the soundtrack. He signed a multipicture deal with Warner Bros. in the wake of Exit Wounds' success. DMX worked with Jet Li again in Cradle 2 the Grave. It opened at number one upon its release in March 2003, and its DMX-heavy soundtrack debuted in the Top Ten. DMX also starred in Never Die Alone, which was based on street novelist Donald Goines' book.
Criminal history
DMX also has a criminal history originating with an arrest in 1999 in Teaneck, New Jersey, when police found a pistol, crack pipes and 13 pit bulls on the premises of his home. He pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia, and was sentenced to make public service announcements for the Humane Society.
In June of 2004, DMX and a friend were arrested in the parking lot of Kennedy Airport in New York for allegedly attempting to steal a car and impersonating a federal agent. Police questioned Simmons, who claimed to be a "special agent." However, authorities were not fooled. They informed DMX that they knew he was not a federal agent because he was DMX. DMX was taken to central lockup in Queens and held on charges of attempted robbery, criminal impersonation and criminal mischief. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in December and was sentenced to a conditional discharge. His driver's license was suspended for the incident and he had to forfeit his 1998 Ford Expedition.
In April of 2005, DMX was arrested in The Bronx for driving with a suspended license after his car crashed into a police cruiser.
In October of 2005, DMX was sentenced to 60 days in prison after pleading guilty to two traffic violations while his license was suspended, one being the incident in April and the other involving driving his car at 104 MPH near his Westchester home.
DMX will have to serve 70 days behind bars for violating his release conditions following a 2004 arrest after he pretended to be a federal agent and attempted to steal a car. DMX was immediately taken to Rikers Island. With good behavior, the jail term could be reduced to 46 days.
Rivalries
DMX has had several beefs with other artists in his career, some low-profile and some played out with help from the media and radio.
- K-Solo, of Erick Sermon's Def Squad, was a rapper X battled in jail. When Solo got out, he had a respectable hit song wherein he used the "spellbound" style X claims to have invented, so at the earliest opportunity the Dark Man dissed him in 1998, on It's Dark and Hell is Hot. Solo didn't reply until 2001, and by then no reply was forthcoming. However, in a recent interview, X challenged the rapper (who is also a smalltime boxer) to a fight.
- Kurupt, of the Dogg Pound, accused X of stealing his then fiancée Foxy Brown. The beef was squashed at the encouragement of Snoop Dogg.
- Eminem and DMX were rumored to have sent subliminals at each other on a freestyle and X's '99 hit Party Up (Up in Here) respectively. They eventually squashed the beef to team up against Murder Inc.
- The LOX and DMX allegedly had some problems stemming from their time living in Yonkers that was talked out in 2004. It is rumored a line on the song "Trina Moe", from The Great Depression, was aimed at the trio.
- Ja Rule and Murder Inc, from which X and Jay-Z had since departed, proved to be DMX's most dramatized beef. X accused former cohort Ja of getting rich from his style, teaming up with Eminem, 50 Cent, and others to diss the label. Recently he reportedly sat down with Irv Gotti and worked out their differences.
Samples
- Download sample of "Dogs for Life" from 1998's Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood'
Discography
Singles
- 1992: "Born Loser" (12" Single)
- 1997: "4,3,2,1" (LL Cool J featuring Method Man, Redman, DMX, Canibus, & Master P) #75 US
- 1998: "Nothin' Move But The Money" (Mic Geronimo featuring DMX & Black Rob) #70 US
- 1998: "Get At Me Dog" (featuring Sheek of The L.O.X.) #39 US
- 1998: "Money, Power & Respect" (The L.O.X. featuring DMX & Lil' Kim) #17 US
- 1998: "Stop Being Greedy" #79 US
- 1998: "How's It Goin' Down" (featuring Faith Evans) #70 US
- 1998: "Ruff Ryder's Anthem" #94 US
- 1998: "Slippin"
- 1999: "No Love 4 Me"
- 1999: "What's My Name" #67 US
- 2000: "Party Up (Up In Here)" #27 US
- 2000: "What These Bitches Want" (edited version titled "What They Want", featuring Sisqó) #49 US
- 2000: "Do You" (Funkmaster Flex featuring DMX) #91 US
- 2001: "No Sunshine" Exit Wounds: The Album (soundtrack, track 1)
- 2001: "We Right Here"
- 2001: "Who We Be" #60 US
- 2002: "I Miss You" (featuring Faith Evans) #86 US
- 2003: "X Gon' Give It To Ya" #60 US
- 2003: "Where The Hood At?" #68 US
- 2003: "Get It On The Floor"
- 2005: "Pump Ya Fist"
- 2005: "Give Em What They Want"
- 2006: "We In Here" (featuring Swizz Beats)