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".
Aint No Sunshine
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
only darkness everyday
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
'Cause when it's on
Ya niggaz know to be gone
everytime 'cause we don't play
(Verse 1)
Who turned turned out the lights
Is what ya'll niggaz be sayin
You don't wanna fight
'Cause ya'll niggaz be playin
Thinkin it's alright
playin with that road
you gone know the night
you'll be layin in the cold
Dirt gettin tossed in your grave
now it' all over
Preacher said you was brave
but now it's all over
You just one of the many plenty I gon' give it to
(Boom) ain't no savin you
no matter how many tears your mom crys
ain't gone bring your ass back plus in hell you gon' fry
Why, but now the only two relative qeustions is
"Do we bury him or burn, any suggestions?"
Either way you up outa here for good
now when niggaz mention your name they knockin on wood
Did I get my point across
anutha body on the shotte anutha joint i toss
(Chorus)
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
Only Darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
'Cause when it's on ya niggaz know to be gone
Everytime 'cause we don't play
Everytime 'cause we don't play
Everytime 'cause we don't play
(Verse Two)
There ain't no sunshine when the Dark Man comes out
And I want mine so I plan to keep my gun out
We got four 9'z so niggaz run in and run out
But i bust mine so I'd like to hear some shouts
Get at me dog niggaz know how it's gettin dizzy
'Cause when it comes to that flow I gets busy
Who is he Dark Man of the unknown
(GRRRR ARF) one dog one bone
Now who ain't goin home
looks like you
You hear Strike One
Talkin shit, Strike Two
Won't be a Strike Three
'Cause I don't play fair
I'm gon look you in the eye
while he hits you from the rear
Be like Yea holdin you up 'cause you fallin'
the Lord ain't comin so Nigga stop callin'
You was ballin' a minute ago in it for dough
Till it was "Yo I swear to God I didn't know"
(Chorus)
(Verse Three)
And I know I know I know I kno
What you think you gon' get fuck around with my dough
Just so there ain't no mistakes this is my show
One(one)Two(two) Three here I go
Your shit is quick but your shit is slick
But this shit is thick so when you here this shit
Damn right I'm gonna finish shit
If you caught that verse without a rewind
you can see mine
But you be blind I do a 360 come up from behind
Tap you on your shoulder have you turnin around
then i'll hit you with sumthin that'll have you burnin' the ground
Be like"Damn There nuthin left of the money but a pile of ash"
Life is good so please enjoy it while it lasts
'Cause you know you ain't got much longer to go
The quicker you go depends on the stronger the flow
Niggaz know I don't give a fuck right or wrong
There Ain't no sunshine when it's on
(Chorus)
The lyrics to DMX's song "Ain't No Sunshine" are about the darkness and violence that surrounds the rapper's life. He talks about how there is no light or hope in his world, just darkness every day. When he says "when it's on," he means that when violence breaks out, people know to stay away because the consequences can be deadly. He warns those who play with their roles and think it's alright to keep playing because they will know the night when they are lying in their grave with dirt getting tossed in. The song is DMX's message to those who try to mess with him, telling them that he has no mercy and they should not test him.
The lyrics are a reflection of DMX's difficult upbringing and his struggles with violence and crime. He grew up in Yonkers, New York where he was exposed to a gang lifestyle. The song is a portrayal of the harsh realities and violence that surround the rapper's personal life. DMX's lyrics draw a stark contrast to the sunshine that is usually associated with hope and happiness, and instead he draws attention to the negative experiences that many people face.
Overall, DMX's "Ain't No Sunshine" is a dark and gritty track that speaks directly to those who live a life of violence and crime. It is an intense and aggressive song that is characterized by DMX's unique style of rapping and his intense delivery. The song is a reflection of the harsh realities of life in the urban environment where violence and crime are a daily occurrence.
Line by Line Meaning
It's dark, and hell is hot
The mood is set for a dangerous and deadly situation that is present in the environment.
Ain't no sunshine when it's on
There is no happiness and safety when violence is present.
Only darkness every day
Violence and destruction bring nothing but despair and misery every day, with no hope for improvement.
Ya niggas know to be gone, everytime, cause we don't play
Other people know to leave the area when the violence begins, because they know that the people causing it do not play games and will harm them.
"who turned out the lights?" is what niggas be sayin
People wonder who started the violence and left them in darkness, helpless and afraid.
Now you don't wanna fight, but y'all niggas be playin
People don't want to engage in violence, but some choose to play around with dangerous situations anyway.
Thinkin it's alright, keep playin with that role
Believing that it's okay to act violently and play around with dangerous situations is a dangerous mindset to have.
And you gonna know the night, when you layin in that hole
People who engage in violence will face deadly consequences, and they will realize this on the night they are buried in a grave.
Dirt gettin tossed in yo' grave, now it's all over
When someone is buried after being killed during violence, it signals the end of their life and that all the chaos is finally over.
Preacher said "you was brave," but now it's all over
Even if someone was seen as brave before they died, their death during violence is ultimately a tragic and negative event.
You just one of the many, plenty, I done gave it to
The person who died during the violence is just one of many who have faced the same fate due to the actions of the violent individuals.
(*boom*) ain't no savin you
The sound of the gunshot symbolizes the end of the person's life, with no hope of saving them from death.
No matter how many tears your moms' cried
Even if someone's mother mourns their death with tears, it does not change the fact that they are gone forever.
Ain't gon bring yo' ass back, plus in hell you gon' fry
No amount of mourning can bring someone back from the dead, and if they committed violent acts during their life, they will suffer consequences in the afterlife.
Why? but now the only two relative questions
Now that the violent situation has occurred and someone has died, there are only two important questions to ask.
Is "do we bury him or burn? any suggestions?"
The questions that people now have to ask are related to how they will dispose of the body of the person who died violently.
Either way, you up out of here for good
Regardless of how the body is disposed of, the person who died is gone forever and will never return.
Now when niggas mention your name they knockin on wood
Now, when people mention the name of the person who died, others knock on wood to bring good luck and prevent themselves from suffering the same fate.
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
The repetition of "I know" shows the confidence that the person has in themselves and their abilities.
Whatchu think you gon' get, fuck around with my dough
If someone messes with their money, they will face violent consequences.
Just so it ain't no mistakes, this is my show
The artist is in control of the situation and makes it clear that there won't be any misunderstanding about this fact.
Your shit is quick, and your shit is slick, but this shit is thick
The other person may think they are quick and clever, but the situation they are in is much more dangerous than they realize.
Ain't you hear this shit? damn right, I can finish shit
The singer is confident in their ability to handle any situation and finish what they start.
Be like - yeah, holdin you up cuz you fallin (what?)
The artist is mocking the other person who is falling and unable to stand up on their own, implying that they are weak and pathetic.
The lord ain't comin, 'til niggas stop callin
No divine intervention will occur during a violent situation, and it will only stop when the people causing it decide to stop.
You was ballin, a minute ago, in it for dough
The person who is now falling and failing was previously successful and focused on making money during their involvement in the situation.
'til it was, "yo, I swear to god, I didn't know"
The other person tries to make an excuse and claim that they didn't know that they were involved in something dangerous and violent.
And I want mine, so I plan to keep my gun out
The artist is ready to use violence to protect themselves and their interests.
We got four 9's, so niggas run in and run out
The artist has access to four guns and their associates use them to quickly and efficiently carry out violent acts.
But I bust mine, cause I'd like to hear some shouts
The singer is eager to use their own gun during violent situations and enjoys hearing people scream and shout in fear.
Looks like you, won't be a strike three, cause I don't play fair
The singer will not give the other person who is now fallen a third chance, because they are willing to use any means necessary to gain the upper hand, even if it's unfair.
I'mma look you in your eye while he hit you from the rear
The artist is so confident in their ability to control the situation that they can even make eye contact with the other person while one of their associates assaults them from behind.
Life is good, so please enjoy it while it lasts
The artist acknowledges that life is good, but warns that it is temporary and can be taken away at any moment.
Cause you know ain't got much longer to go
The artist warns that everyone should be mindful of their mortality because death can happen at any time.
The quicker you go depends on the stronger the flow
The faster someone dies depends on how intense and violent the situation is.
And niggas know, I don't give a fuck, right or wrong
The artist makes it clear that they do not care about morality or being right or wrong, only about winning and asserting their power through violence.
There ain't no sunshine when it's on
The presence of violence creates an environment of darkness and despair that is harmful to everyone involved.
Everytime, cause we don't play
The repetition of "everytime, cause we don't play" emphasizes the dangerous and violent nature of the singer and their associates, who will not hesitate to use violence to get what they want.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amandalott4051
Who else here from 2024 🎉
@richardodongo4259
Maaaaaadd!!!!👌
@joaovitorsoaresnunes3457
🙋♂️
@blackmnc
🎉
@MarkLord-ft7mg
He Manchester UK 👊👍
@user-sc1qe7hu5q
მე ვარ 😊
@chrisredfield6274
Anderson Silva came out to this song every single time he defended his title. It just gave you chills when the arena darkened and this song hit.
@ericbeard3017
Yes sir perfect song for him
@user-vo9is6hd7r
It was game over when they hear this , the spider was coming
@user-lv9ff2kb2l
Yup, Silva is the reason I know the song lol