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".
Comin for Ya
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Word?
Get 'em boy, get 'em boy!
Get 'em boy! Get 'em boy! Boy!
X is comin' for ya, can't do nothin' for ya
'Cause X is comin' for ya
Run, hide, duck, duck
X is comin' for ya, can't do nothin' for ya
'Cause X is comin' for ya
Run, hide, duck, duck
We don't give a fuck, fuck
Look in the mirror (uh) say my name five times
Turn out the lights (What?) then I done juked nine lives
Don't get scared now nigga, finish it 'cause you started it
Watch shit grow out of control, now you want no part of it (c'mon)
Nigga, where yo' heart at? Tell me what you made of
Already lost a stripe 'cause I know what you afraid of
We both know you pussy, but I ain't gonna say nuttin'
Just hit a nigga off, and you can stay frontin'
I gotcha back for now, 'til I cased the joint (what?)
Plus, give the Feds a real good place to point (what?)
We laced the joint, I ain't gonna front I had my hands full
Glad to be alive, but you like, that's that bull
But now you know, what you get, when you fuckin' wit
'Cause you shoulda left alone, now you stuck in shit
Stuck in shit, 'til that headpiece gets blazed
Screamin this, ah, cease to the grave
Its over, at least for you it is
It don't take the coroner, to see how true it is
I knew these kid, but did that stop me from gettin' 'em, screamin'
It was all for the money, while I'm hittin' and splittin' him down
From his nose to his nuts (what?)
Fire department comin', put the hose to his guts (what?)
Washed away, just like dirt when it rains
And now because of you, I hurt when it rains
X is comin' for ya, can't do nothin' for ya
'Cause X is comin' for ya
Run, hide, duck, duck
We don't give a fuck, fuck
X is comin' for ya, can't do nothin' for ya
'Cause X is comin' for ya
Run, hide, duck, duck
We don't give a fuck, fuck
My real name is Damien and my girl's name is Carrie
That Poltergeist bitch is hot, but too young to marry
That nigga Satan be fakin' mad jacks so I taxed his ass
Every chance I get, is just another hit (uh, uh, uh, what?)
Another nigga split, to the white meat, another nigga
Takin' up room in the morgue under a white sheet (c'mon)
That's what you get for tryin' to take it there (uhh)
But with this Desert Eagle in your mouth
You cryin' 'bout let's make it fair (uhh)
Sometimes it takes pain to make the brain a little smarter (uh-huh)
When I think the rain will stop, it only starts to rain harder (uh-huh)
Part of the game is niggas wanna become famous
And doin the same shit I do, remain nameless (uh, uh, uh, uh)
I want house money, Jag money (what?) so I gots ta bag money
I ain't laughin', but yo it's mad funny (c'mon)
I used to talk about that shit you got
But you ain't never got that shit when that shit get hot!
Runnin' up in the spot with, two niggas from Israel
'Cause it is real, you did squeal, now how you think yo' kids feel?
Knowin' you died a snitch, I look in yo' and see a bitch
Wasn't surprised to see a switch (c'mon)
Let's make it quick, I got a flight at 6 goin' to Pakistan
So let this nigga know, I know he pussy, I'ma smack his man (uhh)
Fuckin' Willie niggas and silly niggas
I'd rather be eatin' off a plate
With all them Baltimore and Philly niggas (what?)
'Cause I done took about as much I can stand
A nigga smilin' in my face like they my motherfuckin' man
Aiyyo, it gets a lot worse, 'cause there's a curse (what?)
That says, the reward for bein' real, is the hearse
Before you turn thirty, cause the dirty shit you did (uhh)
Catches up and get you right when you thought you slid
It's gettin' dark, and with the cold to the heart
You realize, you ain't gonna see your shorty
Old enough to walk, for real
X is comin' for ya, can't do nothin' for ya
'Cause X is comin' for ya
Run, hide, duck, duck
We don't give a fuck, fuck
X is comin' for ya, can't do nothin' for ya
'Cause X is comin' for ya
Run, hide, duck, duck
We don't give a fuck, fuck
In this song, DMX is portraying himself as a force to be reckoned with, issuing threats to his adversaries. He warns them that he is coming for them and there is nothing they can do about it. He taunts them by telling them to run, hide, and duck, while he fearlessly pursues them. DMX then goes on to reflect on the consequences of one's actions in life, as he raps about his pursuit of money by any means necessary. He talks about the price of fame and the need to remain nameless in the game. DMX concludes the song by warning that there is a curse that befalls those who do dirty deeds, and ultimately, retribution will catch up to them.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey Mimi
Addressing someone named Mimi
Word?
Asking if Mimi agrees or understands
Get 'em boy, get 'em boy!
Telling his crew to attack or go after someone
Get 'em boy! Get 'em boy! Boy!
Reiterating the order to his crew
X is comin' for ya, can't do nothin' for ya
Threatening to come for the person and saying they can't do anything to stop it
'Cause X is comin' for ya
Repeating the threat
Run, hide, duck, duck
Giving instructions for the person to evade or avoid him
We don't give a fuck, fuck
Making it clear that he doesn't care what the person does
Look in the mirror (uh) say my name five times
Instructing the person to say his name in the mirror, referring to a horror movie trope
Turn out the lights (What?) then I done juked nine lives
Referring to his ability to survive danger, even in the dark
Don't get scared now nigga, finish it 'cause you started it
Telling the person to own up to their actions and not to be scared now
Watch shit grow out of control, now you want no part of it (c'mon)
Saying that the situation has grown too big and now the person wants to back out
Nigga, where yo' heart at? Tell me what you made of
Asking the person to prove their worth and courage
Already lost a stripe 'cause I know what you afraid of
Implying that the person has already lost their credibility because he knows what they fear
We both know you pussy, but I ain't gonna say nuttin'
Calling the person a coward, but not elaborating on it
Just hit a nigga off, and you can stay frontin'
Offering an opportunity to do something for him to stay in his good graces
I gotcha back for now, 'til I cased the joint (what?)
Saying that he's got the person's back temporarily until he figures things out
Plus, give the Feds a real good place to point (what?)
Suggesting that they both might get caught and that he will make the person take the fall
We laced the joint, I ain't gonna front I had my hands full
Admitting that it was a challenging task to complete together
Glad to be alive, but you like, that's that bull
Acknowledging that they survived, but the person may not be happy about it
But now you know, what you get, when you fuckin' wit
Saying that the person should have known better than to mess with him
'Cause you shoulda left alone, now you stuck in shit
Blaming the person for getting themselves into a bad situation
Stuck in shit, 'til that headpiece gets blazed
Saying that the person will be stuck in the situation until they get killed
Screamin this, ah, cease to the grave
Saying that the person will scream until they die
Its over, at least for you it is
Saying that it's all over for the person he's threatening
It don't take the coroner, to see how true it is
Saying that it's obvious that the person will die
I knew these kid, but did that stop me from gettin' 'em, screamin'
Saying that he knew the person, but that didn't stop him from going after them
It was all for the money, while I'm hittin' and splittin' him down
Suggesting that he's doing this for profit
From his nose to his nuts (what?)
Saying that he will hit the person in every vulnerable spot
Fire department comin', put the hose to his guts (what?)
Mentioning a gruesome way to kill the person
Washed away, just like dirt when it rains
Saying that the person's memory will be forgotten easily
And now because of you, I hurt when it rains
Implying that the person he went after caused him pain so even rain hurts now
My real name is Damien and my girl's name is Carrie
Revealing his name is Damien and his girlfriend's name is Carrie, referencing famous horror movies
That Poltergeist bitch is hot, but too young to marry
Commenting on another horror movie character that he finds attractive
That nigga Satan be fakin' mad jacks so I taxed his ass
Suggesting that he went after Satan and took what was his
Every chance I get, is just another hit (uh, uh, uh, what?)
Saying that every opportunity he has, he will take it
Another nigga split, to the white meat, another nigga
Saying that someone else got killed
Takin' up room in the morgue under a white sheet (c'mon)
Saying that the person he killed is now a corpse
That's what you get for tryin' to take it there (uhh)
Saying that the person got what they deserved for crossing him
But with this Desert Eagle in your mouth
Threatening the person with a weapon
You cryin' 'bout let's make it fair (uhh)
Saying that the person is trying to play fair now that they're in danger
Sometimes it takes pain to make the brain a little smarter (uh-huh)
Suggesting that the person will learn from this painful situation
When I think the rain will stop, it only starts to rain harder (uh-huh)
Suggesting that things will get even worse, even when he thinks they won't
Part of the game is niggas wanna become famous
Suggesting that some people will do anything for fame
And doin the same shit I do, remain nameless (uh, uh, uh, uh)
Suggesting that he wants to be the only one who gets famous for his actions
I want house money, Jag money (what?) so I gots ta bag money
Saying that he wants to earn a lot of money through his violent actions
I ain't laughin', but yo it's mad funny (c'mon)
Suggesting that what he's saying is serious, but he's laughing at the absurdity of it all
I used to talk about that shit you got
Saying that he used to talk about what the person had
But you ain't never got that shit when that shit get hot!
Saying that the person never had his back when things got dangerous
Runnin' up in the spot with, two niggas from Israel
Saying that he's with two dangerous people who come from Israel
'Cause it is real, you did squeal, now how you think yo' kids feel?
Saying that the person has snitched, and questioning how his family feels about it
Knowin' you died a snitch, I look in yo' and see a bitch
Saying that if the person dies after snitching, he will see them as weak
Wasn't surprised to see a switch (c'mon)
Saying that he wasn't surprised that the person changed or flipped on him
Let's make it quick, I got a flight at 6 goin' to Pakistan
Saying that he has to leave soon and wants to get this done quickly
So let this nigga know, I know he pussy, I'ma smack his man (uhh)
Saying that he knows the person is weak and that he will punish his associates
Fuckin' Willie niggas and silly niggas
Insulting other weak or foolish people
I'd rather be eatin' off a plate
Saying that he would rather be successful and wealthy
With all them Baltimore and Philly niggas (what?)
Mentioning other dangerous people from those areas
'Cause I done took about as much I can stand
Saying that he's reached his limit and can't take it anymore
A nigga smilin' in my face like they my motherfuckin' man
Saying that he can't trust anyone, even those who appear to be his friends
Aiyyo, it gets a lot worse, 'cause there's a curse (what?)
Saying that things will get even worse, because of a curse that affects him
That says, the reward for bein' real, is the hearse
Saying that being true to himself comes at a deadly price
Before you turn thirty, cause the dirty shit you did (uhh)
Saying that his violent actions will catch up to him and he will die before he turns thirty
Catches up and get you right when you thought you slid
Saying that he will get what he deserves at the moment he thinks he won't get caught
It's gettin' dark, and with the cold to the heart
Suggesting that he's becoming colder and more heartless
You realize, you ain't gonna see your shorty
Saying that because of his violent actions, he won't be able to see his child
Old enough to walk, for real
Saying that his child will be grown up before he knows it, because time passes quickly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kasseem Dean, Earl Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind