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".
Bloodline Anthem
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Believe me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
Believe me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now..
[DMX]
I like my blunts heavily hashed, bitches heavily assedJoints ready to stash, got 'em ready to blast (WHAT?!)
Give 'em plenty and pass, the thing off (woo!) toss that
Get pulled over, we already lost that, of course black (uh!)
Floss that, lose that, get that? Come up off that
You ain't choose that, but you with that, now spit back (c'mon)
y'all niggaz got me all wrong (WHAT?!)
I'm still a grimy nigga (WHAT?!)
and I still give it to you, on your song (WHAT?!)
I let you niggaz live for a minute, you get goofy
Told you go 'head, drop a few albums, I'll do a movie (aight)
But when I come back, c'mon dog, respect my slot (UHH)
Ain't no get in where I fit in, bitch I'm straight to the top (aight)
And whoever don't like it, FUCK YOU FAGGOT, bring it! (WHAT?!)
Nigga don't want to walk it but, stay tryin to sing it
What I gotta start smackin you guys around again?
Don't make no motherfuckin sense, y'all some grown ass men!
[Chorus]
[DMX]
I don't play with you cats like I used to
Cause well I ain't your father (uh-huh)
This time it's gon' be a little harder
Told niggaz to "Do You", courtesy of Flex
Put out "... And Then There Was X" and then there was X
And then there was X again, ain't my next of kinJust some hardheaded dickridin grown-ass men (uhh, uhh)
c'mon with the bullshit (WHAT?!) please, don't touch that
You might, bust yo' gun dog but we bust back (aight)
And what's that, a lot of dead homies
That ain't yours (UHH) leave it alone, you don't know me
Respect the nine or catch a wreckless twenty-nine (ahh)
For every bone in your spine (ahh) make a nigga recline (ahh)
This whole rap shit is mine (WHAT?!) and I'm not sharin (uhh)
Niggaz gettin popped every day, not carin (woo!)
Peep niggaz starin, but they don't want NUTTIN
Nowadays niggaz get it for frontin, motherfucker!
Cocksuckin-ass niggaz!
[Chorus]
[DMX]
Now there's a lot of - bitch niggaz that's rich niggaz I stick niggaz
(uhh) Pick niggaz and hit niggaz I lift niggaz (uhh, uhh)
Wannabe player, stay in the park
Cause the grownups is over here, and we drinkin (WHAT?!)
Fuck is you thinkin? (WHAT?!)
X ain't changed, still with the same shit (uhh)
Ain't with the game shit (uhh) bust leave a stain shit (uhh)
Watch the game change quick (WHAT?!)
Some niggaz married to the game
Nigga like me? Married to the same bitch (c'mon!)
I'm a dog from the hood, so I gotta rap from the hood
Put a snake and a cat to the wood
MAN!! if you, only knew
WHAT IT IS!! that I'm, goin through
WHEN IT IS!! that I'm, goin through it
You ain't gon let me get ahold of that thing, cause I'ma do it! (woo!)
Pop, stop drop watch and roll niggaz (uhh)
Hold niggaz dog I can't control niggaz! (c'mon!)
[Chorus - repeat 2X]
In the Bloodline Anthem, DMX proclaims his presence as the unquestioned leader of the hip hop scene, emerging victorious from a tumultuous past. He describes his favorite activities, including smoking heavily hashed blunts and talking to bitches that are heavily assed. DMX expresses his frustration with those who underestimate him or his methods, particularly other rappers whom he regards as his equals, and specifically those who attempt to pigeonhole him into a particular style or sound. He indicates that he will no longer play with these "hardheaded dickridin" grown-ass men and that he will strike back at any who challenge his right to the throne.
DMX uses the chorus to call out to his fans and supporters, telling them that it is time for them to join him in his battle against his enemies. He declares that this is their moment to let the world know that he, DMX, is the one true king of the rap game.
One of the defining characteristics of DMX's music was his aggressive growling style of rapping, often about his street upbringing and criminal past. The Bloodline Anthem is no exception, as he repeatedly uses the phrase "WHAT?!" to punctuate his bars, emphasizing his fierceness and defiance. The song also includes many references to guns and violence, which were common themes in DMX's music.
Line by Line Meaning
Believe me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
It's our time to assert ourselves and make our presence known
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
It's time for us to let people know what we are capable of
Believe me! It's our TIIIIME now to let 'em know
We need to make people believe that it is our time to shine
(WHAT?!) It's our TIIIIME now..
There is no doubt that it is our time now
I like my blunts heavily hashed, bitches heavily assed
I prefer my blunts with a lot of Hash oil and my women with curvy butts
Joints ready to stash, got 'em ready to blast (WHAT?!)
I have the joints ready to smoke and I am ready to get high
Give 'em plenty and pass, the thing off (woo!) toss that
I am sharing my joint and passing it around among my friends
Get pulled over, we already lost that, of course black (uh!)
We already lost in case we get pulled over, due to our skin color
Floss that, lose that, get that? Come up off that
Show off your jewelry, let it fall and someone else will take it
You ain't choose that, but you with that, now spit back (c'mon)
You did not choose your situation, but now that you are in it, you have to do something about it
y'all niggaz got me all wrong (WHAT?!)
You all have a misconception about me
I'm still a grimy nigga (WHAT?!)
I am still a rough And tough person
And I still give it to you, on your song (WHAT?!)
I will perform my best in any song that I am featured in
I let you niggaz live for a minute, you get goofy
I let you all have your time, but now you are acting foolish
Told you go 'head, drop a few albums, I'll do a movie (aight)
I gave you a chance to make music, and I chose to do movies instead
But when I come back, c'mon dog, respect my slot (UHH)
When I return, you need to respect my status and position
Ain't no get in where I fit in, bitch I'm straight to the top (aight)
I have no time to fit in, I will go straight to the top
And whoever don't like it, FUCK YOU FAGGOT, bring it! (WHAT?!)
I do not care who does not like it, the hater can come out and confront me
Nigga don't want to walk it but, stay tryin to sing it
Those who don't want to show up and fight talk too much about it
What I gotta start smackin you guys around again?
Do I have to start beating you all up again?
Don't make no motherfuckin sense, y'all some grown ass men!
It makes no sense that you all are acting immature, and you all are grown-up
I don't play with you cats like I used to
I do not mess around with people as I used to
Cause well I ain't your father (uh-huh)
I am not responsible for you and your actions
This time it's gon' be a little harder
This time, the task or the challenge is going to be tougher
Told niggaz to "Do You", courtesy of Flex
Funkmaster Flex helped me to get my idea through to the others: do what you want to do
Put out "... And Then There Was X" and then there was X
I released an album called "...And Then There Was X" and that became me again
Ain't my next of kin, just some hardheaded dickridin grown-ass men (uhh, uhh)
They are not my family, just some stubborn and disrespectful grown-up men
c'mon with the bullshit (WHAT?!) please, don't touch that
Do not bring any nonsense here
You might, bust yo' gun dog but we bust back (aight)
You might shoot at us, but we will shoot back
And what's that, a lot of dead homies
That results in a lot of dead friends and family
That ain't yours (UHH) leave it alone, you don't know me
Stay away from things that do not belong to you, and you don't know me well
Respect the nine or catch a wreckless twenty-nine (ahh)
Respect my 9mm gun, or you will face the consequences of a violent death
For every bone in your spine (ahh) make a nigga recline (ahh)
For every bullet I shoot at you, a part of your body will go numb
This whole rap shit is mine (WHAT?!) and I'm not sharin (uhh)
The rap industry belongs to me, and I do not like sharing it
Niggaz gettin popped every day, not carin (woo!)
People are getting killed, and nobody seems to care
Peep niggaz starin, but they don't want NUTTIN
People watch closely, but they are too afraid to do anything
Nowadays niggaz get it for frontin, motherfucker!
People get killed for fake behavior, and that is annoying
Now there's a lot of - bitch niggaz that's rich niggaz I stick niggaz
There are many people, rich or weak, or otherwise, that I can mess up
(uhh) Pick niggaz and hit niggaz I lift niggaz (uhh, uhh)
I can pick people out, hit them, and lift them
Wannabe player, stay in the park
You're a wannabe player, stay where you belong
Cause the grownups is over here, and we drinkin (WHAT?!) Fuck is you thinkin? (WHAT?!)
We are adults here and drinking, what are you thinking about?
X ain't changed, still with the same shit (uhh)
I am still the same and I have not changed
Ain't with the game shit (uhh) bust leave a stain shit (uhh)
I do not care about the game, but once I get involved, it leaves a lasting impact
Watch the game change quick (WHAT?!) Some niggaz married to the game
The game changes very quickly, and some people are very attached to it
Nigga like me? Married to the same bitch (c'mon!)
Me? I am attached to the same thing since the beginning
I'm a dog from the hood, so I gotta rap from the hood
I am still true to my roots and my upbringing
Put a snake and a cat to the wood
I am not afraid to deal with the good and bad people alike
MAN!! if you, only knew
I wish you knew everything that I know
WHAT IT IS!! that I'm, goin through
What I am going through on a daily basis
WHEN IT IS!! that I'm, goin through it
The time when I am going through it
You ain't gon let me get ahold of that thing, cause I'ma do it! (woo!)
You should not allow me to get involved with something, since I will do it anyway
Pop, stop drop watch and roll niggaz (uhh)
I am about a pop, stop, drop, and roll
stance, and I want everyone to follow suit
Hold niggaz dog I can't control niggaz! (c'mon!)
I cannot control people, they are on their own
[Chorus]
[DMX]
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN COLLINS, EARL SIMMONS, DIA STEWART
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind