DMX died on April 9, 2021 in White Plains, New York, after he was hospitalized on April 2 following a reported heart attack.
Biography
Earl Simmons was the second of three children of a single mother, and was born in Mount Vernon, New York Simmons ended up growing up in the School Street housing projects of Yonkers, New York. He began rapping around the age of 13, amusing crowds of children 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, adopting the stage name DMX, which stands for "Dark Man of the Unknown," X being an algebraic expression for unknown. But at the time, stood for a drum system that delivered amazing beats. Eventually he decided to try his hand at serious rapping, and honed his skills during a stint at a group home. 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 (Once battling and defeating Jay-Z), making a name for himself in the New York area. He released his first album called "DMX: Unleashed and Unreleased" which was an instant hit on the streets of Yonkers. He was also featured in the Unsigned Hype section of The Source in 1988.
He stated he wanted to be a preacher when he retires from his rapping career as he stated in his reality TV Show DMX: Soul Of A Man.
DMX was a fan of the Pit Bull type dogs (American Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers). He had a tattoo of one of his deceased dogs, on his back, which read "One Love Boomer". He later contributed over $1 million to the United Negro Association for unfortunate black children in New York City..
Recording career
In and out of jail, DMX decided to focus solely on his rap career. He began seriously looking for a deal and linked up with Pete McCormick Schaub, an A&R for Small Island at the time. Eventually, he signed a management deal with Ruff Ryders. They negotiated deals with both Bad Boy and Death Row Records, but he eventually landed at Def Jam. He is currently at Sony BMG, set to release his first of three albums on August 1st 2006. Rumors also arose that DMX had signed for 50 Cent's G-Unit Records, but were dismissed in a public news conference.
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
Before It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, DMX released the single "Born Loser" which was banned on MTV due to the video's graphic images. DMX's debut single was "Get At Me Dog", which was an instant hit. His critically-acclaimed debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, is often credited with revitalizing Hardcore Rap in the mainstream scene, after the death of Tupac Shakur, and after Puff Daddy and Bad Boy Entertainment briefly dominated the charts with their pop-oriented and sample-reliant tunes.
In 1997, DMX earned a second major-label shot with Def Jam, and made a successful guest appearance on LL Cool J's "4, 3, 2, 1." Additional guest spots on Ma$e's "24 Hours to Live" and fellow Yonkers MCs the 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 classic 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, (Swizz Beatz produced the "Ruff Ryders' Anthem", paving the way for future projects between the two). It's Dark and Hell Is Hot earned DMX numerous comparisons to Tupac Shakur for his booming and aggressive presence on the mic. The album went on to sell over four million copies and earned him credit for revitalizing Hardcore Rap after the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. 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 together with Nas and Method Man in Hype Williams' mildly successful film Belly. Although not a critical success, the film found a strong following with hip hop audiences.
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 December 15. Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood entered the charts at number one and eventually went triple platinum. This number one hit made DMX the first rapper to have two number one albums in the same year. The cover photo of the rapper covered in pig's blood caused some controversy. The single "Slippin'" became his first chart hit in the UK. DMX hit the road with Jay-Z and the Method Man/Redman team on the blockbuster Hard Knock Life tour the following year. He had a song called "Jack Moves" with the legendary rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, but the song did not appear on the album.
...And Then There Was X
DMX released his third album on December 21, 1999, ...And Then There Was X, which was his third straight album to debut at number one. Party Up 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's My Name" & "What These Bitches Want" feat. Sisqó were also popular. ...And Then There Was X is the rapper's best-selling album to date, going 6x platinum and 9x platinum worldwide, & one of the fastest made by DMX : Def Jam urged him to realise the tracks within a month, while DMX used to take a year to write songs.
The Great Depression
After resolving his legal problems, DMX returned to the studio and completed his fourth album, The Great Depression. Released October 3, 2001, it was DMX's fourth straight album to debut at number one. The album demonstrated his still strong allegiance with the Ruff Ryders. The Great Depression went platinum quickly, but lacked the staying power of his previous releases.
Grand Champ
Released in 2003, Grand Champ was DMX's fifth straight album to debut at number one, extending DMX's position as the only artist in history to have 5 albums (his entire album catalog at that point) debut at #1. 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. He later ended his brief retirement and announced his plans to record the album Year of the Dog...Again. It debuted with approximately 125,000 albums sold, but failed to give DMX a sixth consecutive #1 album. The album is his lowest selling to date, and has yet to reach Gold in the U.S.
Year of the Dog...Again
Released August 1st 2006, Year of the Dog...Again had numerous problems due to DMX switching record labels, as well as numerous delays. The album's five predeccesors debuted at #1, while this album missed the top spot by only a few thousand sales. 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. It was reported that most of the tracks were being reworked, with updated production, however the reworked album has also been leaked. DMX has also appeared on Busta Rhymes' "Touch It (The Remix)". He has also released his new singles "Lord Give Me A Sign", and "We In Here" feat. Swizz Beatz, which are included in "Year of the Dog...Again".
13.Dmx-Get at me dog
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(We right here, dog) where my dogs at?
(I'm right here, dog)
What must I go through to show you shit is real? (Uh)
And I ain't really never gave a fuck how niggas feel (what?)
Rob and I steal, not 'cause I want to, 'cause I have to
And don't make me show you what the MAC do (come on)
I'm on some bullshit that's got me jackin', niggas flippin'
Let my man and them stay pretty but I'ma stay shitty
Cruddy, it's all for the money, is you wit' me?
Get the bitches, and I'll commit the crime (uh-huh)
And when it's on, we transform like Optimus Prime
I'll form the head, roll out, let's make it happen (let's go)
If we ain't gonna get it wit' them, we'll take your cap
Bustin' off, dusting off the softest niggas
Money with the biggest mouth, yo, let's off this nigga
Up North this nigga never made a sound
Breathe too fucking hard and you getting bust down
Yo, yo, y'all niggas wanna be killers? (Get at me, dog)
Y'all niggas wanna feel us? (Get at me, dog)
Y'all niggas want the real (get at me, dog)
(Rrr, arf, arf, what the deal?)
Y'all niggas wanna be killers? (Get at me, dog)
Y'all niggas wanna feel us? (Get at me, dog)
Y'all niggas want the real (get at me, dog)
(Rrr, arf, arf, what the deal?)
Nowadays, it ain't looking too good
For certain niggas, I'm hurting niggas
(What you doing?) Robbing niggas, jerking niggas, sticking niggas
'Cause they deserve it, when Money got murdered
They know he died slow 'cause they heard it
The nigga ain't blew up the spot in a while
And the motherfucker ain't got shot in a while (you know?)
Just takes a light up to fuck the night up
Blow everything in sight up, fuck around and I'll have your ass right up
When you mention some shit you wasn't able to stand
I got shit that'll disable a man with the wave of a hand
The days are longer and it seems like I'm facing time
I've got a lot of dreams, but I'm not really chasing mine
I soak it all up like a sitting fly
'Cause nowadays getting by, nothing more than an occasional meal and getting high
I live to die, that's where I'm headed
Let your man hold something, now it's all about you can get it
Y'all niggas wanna be killers? (Get at me, dog)
Y'all niggas wanna feel us? (Get at me, dog)
Y'all niggas want the real (get at me, dog)
(What? Rrr, arf, arf, what the deal?)
One in the back left your faggot ass face down
Lucky that you breathing, but you dead from the waist down
The fuck is on your mind? Talking that shit that you be talking
And I bet you wish you never got hit 'cause you'd be walking
But shit happens and fuck it, you done did your dirt
Niggas is wondering how the fuck you hid your skirt
Right under their eyes, that's a surprise to the guys
That one of their mans was a bitch in disguise
Fucking with cats that order more hits and slaughter more kids
Let me holla at you, yo, that Baltimore shit (ayo)
Yeah mean? I'm just robbing to eat
And there's at least a thousand of us like me mobbing the street
When we're starving, we eat whatever's there
Come on, you know the code in the streets, whatever's fair
Blood stains and chalk, means your man couldn't walk
After the talk about him not being on the 11-33 to New York
Transforming-ass niggas'll get it quick
And yo, for real, that nigga K can suck my dick
And it's gon' take all these niggas in the rap game to barely move me
'Cause when I blow shit up, I have niggas falling
Like white bitches in a scary movie
Ah, you know I don't know how to act
Get too close to niggas it's like, "Protected by Viper, stand back"
What's this? I thought you niggas was killers, demented
The fuck you want me to do with this coward? Finish him, it's ended
Yo, you holdin'? (No doubt, man)
I'm holdin', you holdin' (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yo, let's ride, nigga, yo
Come on, yo, we goin' to the mess hall with this shit
(Fuck that, hold up hold up, hold up, man, I gotta)
Yo, man, shut the fuck up man, you ain't sayin' shit, bitch
You ain't hol-, you holdin'? (I got the aux, son)
Yo, 'cause I'm seein' this cat
I'm seein' this cat up in here, man (yo)
The nigga, the nigga, the nigga just came in
Talkin' all this hardcore shit what he was doin' at the other jail
You know what I'm sayin'? (Fuck all that, man)
Yo, check it, I don't give a fuck (I ain't with all that problems, man)
Yo, listen, man, 'cause you, you just be talkin' shit, man
(Hold up, ayo, why, why you always wanna suspect everybody, man?)
You suspect, man, you suspect, yo, just chill (you know what I mean?)
Yo, y'all niggas ridin'? (Aw man)
Yo, we gon' take this nigga on a ride (yeah, straight up)
Straight, rough ride
Yo, let's go, let's get the fuck up out of here
Yo, man, shut the fuck up, dog
Yo, come on, yo
Yo, what's up, nigga? (What up?)
(What you mean, "What's up, nigga?", you don't know me)
Yo, hold up
In the song "Get at Me Dog," DMX is expressing his frustration and anger towards those who doubt him and his authenticity. He raps about his willingness to do whatever it takes to survive, including resorting to violence and crime. DMX seems to be challenging anyone who doubts his power, telling them to confront him directly if they have a problem. The song's lyrics are confrontational and aggressive, with DMX using vivid imagery to paint a picture of his dangerous lifestyle.
The chorus of "Get at Me Dog" features barking sounds, which has become a signature element of DMX's music. This bark was inspired by DMX's dog, Boomer, who would bark when the rapper recorded music. The song contains a sample from Ike Turner's "Bold Soul Sister."
Line by Line Meaning
(Yeah, I'm right here, dog) where my dogs at?
I'm here, where are my people at?
(We right here, dog) where my dogs at?
We are here, where are our people at?
(I'm right here, dog)
I am here.
What must I go through to show you shit is real? (Uh)
How much more do I need to do to prove that this is real?
And I ain't really never gave a fuck how niggas feel (what?)
I don't care about the feelings of others.
Rob and I steal, not 'cause I want to, 'cause I have to
I rob and steal not because I want to, but because I have no other choice.
And don't make me show you what the MAC do (come on)
Don't make me demonstrate the power of my firearm.
If you don't know by now, then you slippin'
If you are not aware of the situation, you are oblivious.
I'm on some bullshit that's got me jackin', niggas flippin'
I'm doing some questionable things that have people flipping out.
Let my man and them stay pretty but I'ma stay shitty
My friends can be pretty, but I'm okay with being rough around the edges.
Cruddy, it's all for the money, is you wit' me?
It's gritty, but it's all for the sake of money. Are you with me?
Get the bitches, and I'll commit the crime (uh-huh)
You get the girls, and I'll do the dirty work.
And when it's on, we transform like Optimus Prime
When it's time to act, we change and become more powerful.
I'll form the head, roll out, let's make it happen (let's go)
I will lead and take charge, let's get it started.
If we ain't gonna get it wit' them, we'll take your cap
If we can't get what we want from them, we'll take matters into our own hands.
Bustin' off, dusting off the softest niggas
Taking out the weakest people with gunfire.
Money with the biggest mouth, yo, let's off this nigga
The person with the most money and the loudest mouth needs to be taken care of.
Up North this nigga never made a sound
This person stayed quiet during their time in prison.
Breathe too fucking hard and you getting bust down
If you breathe too loud, you might get shot.
Yo, yo, y'all niggas wanna be killers? (Get at me, dog)
Do you want to be a killer? Come at me then.
Y'all niggas wanna feel us? (Get at me, dog)
Do you want to feel what we have to offer? Come at me then.
Y'all niggas want the real (get at me, dog)
Do you want the truth? Come at me then.
(Rrr, arf, arf, what the deal?)
Making a threatening noise.
Nowadays, it ain't looking too good
These days, things are not going well.
For certain niggas, I'm hurting niggas
I am causing harm to specific people.
(What you doing?) Robbing niggas, jerking niggas, sticking niggas
Robbing, assaulting, and stabbing people.
Cause they deserve it, when money got murdered
They deserved it because they were involved in murder of someone over money.
They know he died slow 'cause they heard it
They are aware that he died in agony.
The nigga ain't blew up the spot in a while
The person has not revealed any information in a while.
And the motherfucker ain't got shot in a while (you know?)
And the person hasn't been shot in a long time, you know?
Just takes a light up to fuck the night up
One small action can cause a big problem.
Blow everything in sight up, fuck around and I'll have your ass right up
I can make you disappear if you mess up.
When you mention some shit you wasn't able to stand
If you talk about something you can't back up, you are in trouble.
I got shit that'll disable a man with the wave of a hand
I have weapons that can instantly disable someone.
The days are longer and it seems like I'm facing time
The days are getting longer, and it feels like I am serving a sentence.
I've got a lot of dreams, but I'm not really chasing mine
I have a lot of aspirations, but I'm not actively pursuing them.
I soak it all up like a sitting fly
I absorb everything like a fly on the wall.
'Cause nowadays getting by, nothing more than an occasional meal and getting high
Survival these days is just about having enough food to eat and getting high sometimes.
I live to die, that's where I'm headed
I am living to die, that's where I'm heading.
Let your man hold something, now it's all about you can get it
I gave you something to hold now you must return the favor by giving me something in return.
(What? Rrr, arf, arf, what the deal?)
Making a threatening noise.
One in the back left your faggot ass face down
I shot you in the back and now you are on the ground.
Lucky that you breathing, but you dead from the waist down
You are lucky to be alive, but your lower body is paralyzed.
The fuck is on your mind? Talking that shit that you be talking
What were you thinking? You should not have been talking that way.
And I bet you wish you never got hit 'cause you'd be walking
You are probably regretting being hit because now you cannot walk.
But shit happens and fuck it, you done did your dirt
Things happen and you have done what you needed to do.
Niggas is wondering how the fuck you hid your skirt
People are wondering how you hid your cowardice.
Right under their eyes, that's a surprise to the guys
It was right in front of them, but the guys were surprised anyway.
That one of their mans was a bitch in disguise
One of their friends was a coward in disguise.
Fucking with cats that order more hits and slaughter more kids
Dealing with people who order and carry out more hits and violence.
Let me holla at you, yo, that Baltimore shit (ayo)
Let me talk to you about that Baltimore lifestyle.
Yeah mean? I'm just robbing to eat
You know what I'm saying? I only rob to feed myself.
And there's at least a thousand of us like me mobbing the street
There are many people like me running around the streets doing these things.
When we're starving, we eat whatever's there
When we are hungry, we will eat whatever is available.
Come on, you know the code in the streets, whatever's fair
You know the rules in the streets, whatever is fair game goes.
Blood stains and chalk, means your man couldn't walk
Blood spatters and chalk outlines indicate that someone has been killed.
After the talk about him not being on the 11-33 to New York
After people were talking about him not being on the bus to New York.
Transforming-ass niggas'll get it quick
People who put on a different facade will be taken care of quickly.
And yo, for real, that nigga K can suck my dick
I really don't like that person named K.
And it's gon' take all these niggas in the rap game to barely move me
It's going to take all the rappers in the game to get my attention.
'Cause when I blow shit up, I have niggas falling
I cause destruction, and people are affected because of it.
Like white bitches in a scary movie
People fall hard like the women in horror movies.
Ah, you know I don't know how to act
You know I don't behave myself well.
Get too close to niggas it's like, "protected by Viper, stand back"
If you get too close to me, I will defend myself with all available force.
What's this? I thought you niggas was killers, demented
What's going on? I thought you guys were crazy killers.
The fuck you want me to do with this coward? Finish him, it's ended
What do you want me to do with this coward? Finish him, it's over.
Lyrics © MUSIC & MEDIA INT'L, INC., Ultra Tunes, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Field, Damon Blackmon, Earl Simmons, Sammy Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tylerhartsell2168
This is one of the best hip hop albums of all time. Shit never gets old. This and Flesh Of My Flesh were incredible
@edgorm1982
and Flesh came out only six months later outta nowhere. i remember finding it at this mom and pop on a Friday before the Tuesday it released. miss those times
@geraldwarren6438
His 1st Album is still my favorite! It was his best!!!!!
@bryandungee1029
@@geraldwarren6438... this IS the 1st album
@hllywdhgn
Almost 25 years later and this shit is still fire.
@docm4544
CLASSIC!!! X's flow/delivery was from a whole other dimension, GOD bless his soul!!! X's music will live forever!!!
@Frank-zs1fk
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@darrellmorgan1097
@@Frank-zs1fk News
@dj_colombian_dread9901
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 listening to this album makes me still believe everything is still good. I hope he pulls through. My favorite rapper.
@stevesiri9700
Yo if you listen to this hole song trust me this hits anybody straight to your chest!!! He couldn't be more real with this message!!! 🔥🔥🔥🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏