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".
Friend Of Mine
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't tell me
Don't tell me it's another one of these PK joints
Not another P Killer joint
Oh my motherfuckin'god
Uh, uh, uh
You better stop that
Right back to you (back to you)
I know you wouldn't like that (oh no)
We don't need no (we don't need no)
Extra offer see (we don't need no)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (wasn't no friend)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (of mine)
I'm part of the meek, started to speak, at age 10
Other kids were ridin' bikes, but that was the age when
I became a man, learned to stand, on my own
One dog, no bone, so young, so grown
Kid left home, shit got harder, kid got smarter
Did my part of the bad shit, I was the starter
Came from the heart of the hood, not lookin' too good
Fuckin' did what I could ready to bitch in the wood
For all the shit you do, just when you think you sly
What goes around, comes around, the wrong damn time
Maybe too late, but damn, I shoulda did that back then
Shoulda thought about that then, now come on out the den
Slowly, Come on keep your hands where I can see 'em
You don't know me, but we already got wifey tied up in the BM
And know who set you up? That bitch with the crazy ass
Another shorty, another party of your shady past
You better stop that
Before I come ridin' back (right back)
Right back to you (back to you)
I know you wouldn't like that (oh no)
We don't need no (we don't need no)
Extra offer see (we don't need no)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (wasn't no friend)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (of mine)
God don't like ugly, all that love me, want to plug me
But fuck me, it's about is this really what you want G?
The more dirt you do, the more dirt you get
More fake niggas that ride, that'll jerk your dick
The more you think your slick, but somebody sees everything
Sometimes the thieves never hang
They remain, outlaws, wild dogs, outdoors
Strippin' cats about yours, it's all about claws
Beggin', scratchin', weighin' and matchin'
You stayin with the batch, and playin' with what you catchin'
Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you, that's under you
You must first separate from, then connect with
Fuckin' with that X shit (what), 'cause this the best shit (what)
Motherfuck the rest bitch (what), it's all about this (what)
Do what you do, and you get what you get
You better stop that
Before I come ridin' back (right back)
Right back to you (back to you)
I know you wouldn't like that (oh no)
We don't need no (we don't need no)
Extra offer see (we don't need no)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (wasn't no friend)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (of mine)
See what it boils down to, is that it all comes through
Remember what you do, cause it's gon' come true
A little harder than you did it, but that's the way it is
I ain't know it be like this, but that's the way it is
Keep fuckin' with them kids, cause they all get grown and shit
When they get they own, what's gon' been that you shown 'em?
Fuck how to take a bone? How to rob a nigga of his throne?
How to be left standin' alone?
Get a nigga gone, that ain't right
Do it yourself, be a man and fight
Nigga earn your stripes, I damn sure earned mine
I already know your language, now try to learn mine
Dig ?Til you find, and when you find you keep
I done spelled it out for you, but you niggas is still asleep
6 feet deep, was just around the corner
Be surprised how many niggas, want to, want to
You better stop that
Before I come ridin' back (right back)
Right back to you (back to you)
I know you wouldn't like that (oh no)
We don't need no (we don't need no)
Extra offer see (we don't need no)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (wasn't no friend)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (of mine)
You better stop that
Before I come ridin' back (right back)
Right back to you (back to you)
I know you wouldn't like that (oh no)
We don't need no (we don't need no)
Extra offer see (we don't need no)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (wasn't no friend)
Wasn't really no friend of mine (of mine)
The song "Friend of Mine" by DMX is a cautionary tale about the consequences of living a life filled with treachery and deceit. The chorus repeats the statement, “Wasn't really no friend of mine,” insinuating that the singer has been betrayed by someone they once considered a friend. The lyrics describe a world where loyalty is scarce and enemies lurk around every corner. DMX describes growing up in a rough neighborhood and having to learn how to fend for himself at a young age. He speaks about the importance of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you and warns that the actions you take will inevitably have consequences.
The final verse of the song is perhaps the most powerful. DMX talks about the inevitability of one's actions catching up to them, even if it takes a while. He speaks of the importance of earning one's stripes and earning respect, instead of trying to take what isn't yours. The line "I already know your language, now try to learn mine" highlights the idea that if someone only knows how to take, they will never truly understand the value of earning something on their own. Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of being careful about who you trust and treating others with respect and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh-oh!
Expression of surprise and alarm.
Don't tell me!
Expression of disbelief.
Don't tell me it's another one of these PK joints!
Expressing frustration with a pattern of bad situations.
Not another P. Killer joint!
Referring to a potentially dangerous situation.
OH MY MOTHERFUCKIN'GOD!
Expression of extreme shock.
You better stop that
Warning to stop a negative behavior.
Before I come ridin' back (RIGHT BACK)
Implying the singer will return to confront them.
Right back to you (BACK TO YOU)
Addressing the direct recipient of the message.
I know you wouldn't like that (OH NO)
Anticipating the other's reaction.
We don't need no (WE DON'T NEED NO)
Negating the importance of something.
Extra offer see (WE DON'T NEED NO)
Clarifying what is not needed.
Wasn't really no friend of mine (WASN'T NO FRIEND)
Asserting that someone was never actually a friend.
Wasn't really no friend of mine (OF MINE)
Reiterating that someone is not a friend.
I'm part of the meek, started to speak, at age 10
Introducing oneself as coming from humble beginnings.
Other kids were ridin' bikes, but that was the age when
Comparing one's experiences to those of others their age.
I became a man, learned to stand, on my own
Completing a rite of passage and becoming independent.
One dog, no bone, so young, so grown
Using a metaphor to describe being responsible for oneself at a young age.
Kid left home, shit got harder, kid got smarter
Describing the challenges of growing up and learning from them.
Did my part of the bad shit, I was the starter
Accepting responsibility for one's past mistakes.
Came from the heart of the hood, not lookin' too good
Acknowledging one's tough upbringing.
Fuckin' did what I could; ready to bitch in the wood
Referring to being resourceful and capable.
For all the shit you do, just when you think you sly
Pointing out someone's deceitful behavior.
What goes around, comes around, the wrong damn time
Suggesting that bad karma will eventually catch up to someone.
Maybe too late, but damn, I shoulda did that back then
Expressing regret for not acting sooner.
Shoulda thought about that then, now come on out the den
Telling someone to face their consequences.
Slowly, Come on; keep your hands where I can see ?em
Commanding someone to move carefully and surrender.
You don't know me, but we already got wifey tied up in the BM
Implying the singer has the upper hand in the situation.
And know who set you up? That bitch with the crazy ass!
Revealing the identity of the person who betrayed them.
Another shorty, another party of your shady past!
Exposing someone's hidden immoral behavior.
God don't like ugly, all that love me, want to plug me
Using a saying to imply that bad behavior will be punished.
But fuck me, it's about ?Is this really what you want G??
Questioning someone's intentions or decisions.
The more dirt you do, the more dirt you get
Implying that negative actions will have negative consequences.
More fake niggas that ride, that'll jerk your dick
Warning about disloyal people who pretend to be supportive.
The more you think your slick, but somebody sees everything
Suggesting someone is not as clever as they think.
Sometimes the thieves never hang
Not all wrongdoers get caught or punished.
They remain, outlaws, wild dogs, outdoors
Contrasting the lifestyle of a criminal to someone who follows the law.
Strippin' cats about yours, it's all about claws
Describing how people can be greedy and self-centered.
Beggin', scratchin', weighin' and matchin'
Using an idiom to describe desperate or competitive behavior.
You stayin with the batch, and playin' with what you catchin'
Describing someone who is content with their current position.
Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you, that's under you
Quoting a common principle from the Bible.
You must first separate from, then connect with
Suggesting that one must break away from negative influences before building positive relationships.
Fuckin' with that X shit (WHAT), ?'cause this the best shit (WHAT)
Referencing the drug culture and implying a disregard for negative consequences.
Motherfuck the rest bitch (WHAT), it's all about this (WHAT)
Asserting that one thing is superior and everything else is inferior.
Do what you do, and you get what you get!
Implying that one's actions will determine the consequences they receive.
See what it boils down to, is that it all comes through
Summarizing the main point of the message.
Remember what you do, cause it's gon' come true
Encouraging the listener to be mindful of their actions.
A little harder than you did it, but that's the way it is
Warning that life can be difficult and one must be prepared to work hard.
I ain't know it be like this, but that's the way it is
Expressing surprise at the current situation.
Keep fuckin' with them kids, cause they all get grown and shit
Warning that treating young people poorly will have consequences.
When they get they own, what's gon' been that you shown ?em?
Asking what kind of role model someone has been to the younger generation.
Fuck how to take a bone? How to rob a nigga of his throne?
Rejecting the idea of being a ruthless person who takes advantage of others.
How to be left standin' alone?
Questioning the ultimate consequences of bad behavior.
Get a nigga gone, that ain't right
Condemning harmful actions against others.
Do it yourself, be a man and fight
Encouraging someone to take responsibility for their actions.
Nigga earn your stripes, I damn sure earned mine
Describing the importance of proving oneself and earning respect.
I already know your language, now try to learn mine
Asserting that the artist is knowledgeable and wants the other to understand them better.
Dig ?til you find, and when you find you keep
Encouraging the listener to search for something and once found, hold onto it tightly.
I done spelled it out for you, but you niggas is still asleep
Implying that the message has been clearly stated but the listener has not yet understood.
6 feet deep, was just around the corner
Referencing the possibility of death and the importance of avoiding negative behavior.
Be surprised how many niggas, want to, want to!
Implying that many people secretly desire negative outcomes for others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Anthony Fields, Earl Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind