Global InformationDMX information
DMX | |
|---|---|
 DMX in 2001 | |
| Born | Earl Simmons December 18, 1970 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 9, 2021 (aged 50) White Plains, New York, U.S. |
| Burial place | Oakland Cemetery, Yonkers, New York, U.S. |
| Other names |
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| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1985–2021 |
| Spouse |
Tashera Simmons
(m. 1999; div. 2014) |
| Children | 17[1] |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Yonkers, New York, U.S.[2] |
| Genres |
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| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Discography | DMX discography |
| Labels |
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| Formerly of |
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| Website | dmx |
| Signature | |
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Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper and actor. Regarded as an influential figure in the late 1990s and early 2000s hip hop,[5] his music is characterized by his "aggressive" rapping style,[6] with lyrical content varying from hardcore themes to prayers.[3][4]
DMX began rapping in the early 1990s. After an unsuccessful tenure on Columbia Records, he signed with Ruff Ryders Entertainment in a joint venture with Def Jam Recordings to release his debut studio album It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), which was met with critical and commercial success—selling 251,000 units its first week and yielding the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 single "Ruff Ryders Anthem".[7][8] It was the first of five of his albums to consectively debut atop the Billboard 200, with DMX becoming to first artist in the chart's history to do so. His second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1999) was followed by third, ... And Then There Was X (1999), which became his best-selling release and was supported by his second top 40 single, "Party Up (Up in Here)". His fourth album, The Great Depression (2001) was followed by his fifth, Grand Champ (2003), which was led by the single "Where the Hood At?" and included the international bonus track "X Gon Give It to Ya".[9] Although his following releases trailed critically and commercially, by 2021, DMX had sold over 74 million records worldwide.[10]
DMX was featured in films such as Belly (1998), alongside Nas, Romeo Must Die (2000) and Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), alongside Jet Li, Exit Wounds (2001) and Beyond the Law (2019), alongside Steven Seagal, and Last Hour (2008), alongside Michael Madsen. In 2006, he starred in the reality television series DMX: Soul of a Man, which was primarily aired on the BET cable television network. In 2003, he published a book of his memoirs titled E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.[11]
- ^ "DMX's Family Reveals He Passed Away at 50, Leaves Behind 17 Children". VladTV. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- ^ Simmons, Earl & Fontaine, Smokey D. (2003), E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX, HarperCollins, p. 7, ISBN 978-0-06-093403-3, archived from the original on January 7, 2024, retrieved October 10, 2016
- ^ a b c Huey, Steve (June 12, 2007). "DMX Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ a b "How DMX found God". Pitchfork. April 21, 2021. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:beywas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:hardwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Birchmeier, Jason (May 12, 1998). "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot – DMX". AllMusic. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)". Liveabout. About.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ Carissimo, Justin; Jones, Zoe Christen (April 9, 2021). "DMX, electrifying rapper who defined 2000s rap, dies at 50". CBS News. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ Mims, Talor (June 28, 2019). "DMX Signs with CAA for Worldwide Representation". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ Fleischer, Adam; Gissen, Jesse; Lelinwalla, Mark; Rodriguez, Jayson (December 12, 2011). "What's the Word: Top 10 Rap Books". XXL. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.