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".
Gotta Go
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man, fuck, is that mode do you talk like that?
The fuck do you want?
Where the fuck is you at?
Are you still fuckin' that bitch?
Ain't nobody fucked that bitch, here we go with this shit again?
Are you still?
No! I'm not fuckin' that bitch man, where the fuck is you at? Get your ass home
Ayo, what time you comin' home?
You ain't been here in like a month and a half what the fuck is you doin'
And I ain't gon' be for two more fuckin' months, the fuck do you want
Leave me the fuck alone
Goodbye!
Hello?
Yo, what's up?
Nothing, what's going on? You alright?
I'm not alright right now, right now shit is kinda crazy, my wife ain't here
She's buggin' out again?
She's buggin' the fuck out, I don't know, what the fuck is her problem
I told you that you deserve better than that
Ayo, hold on, you was right? I'll be hold in a minute
I'll be here the door will be open
Aight!
In DMX's song "Gotta Go," the lyrics depict a conversation between two individuals, with the main focus on a man's apparent frustration with his partner's suspicions of him cheating. The dialogue begins with hostility and accusatory language as the man on the phone is questioned about his whereabouts and whether or not he is still sleeping with someone else. He appears agitated and denies any misconduct, stating that he is not with anyone else but still receives backlash. This could represent a common frustration in relationships where partners have a lack of trust or doubt, leading to arguments and tension.
The second half of the song takes a more serious tone as the man rings a friend for support, stating that his wife is bugging out and he is struggling with the situation. The lyrics imply a sense of desperation and vulnerability as he says he needs to hold and hangs up. The phone call leaves room for interpretation, leaving listeners to question what advice the friend may offer or how the situation develops after the conversation. Overall, the lyrics to "Gotta Go" paint a picture of a tumultuous relationship and the consequences of communication breakdown.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you want?
DMX is annoyed by the person he is talking to and wants to know why they are bothering him.
Man, fuck, is that mode do you talk like that?
DMX is frustrated by the way the person is talking to him and wants them to stop.
The fuck do you want?
DMX is angry and wants to know why the person is bothering him.
Where the fuck is you at?
DMX wants to know where the person is located because he is fed up with them.
Are you still fuckin' that bitch?
DMX is accusing the person of cheating on him with another woman.
Ain't nobody fucked that bitch, here we go with this shit again?
The person denies cheating on DMX and he is annoyed that they are lying to him once again.
Are you still?
DMX is asking if the person is being truthful or not about their infidelity.
No! I'm not fuckin' that bitch man, where the fuck is you at? Get your ass home
The person denies cheating again and DMX is demanding that they come home so they can discuss this matter.
Liar! You are a liar!
DMX is convinced that the person is lying to him about their fidelity.
Ayo, what time you comin' home?
DMX wants to know when the person is coming home so they can discuss their issues.
You ain't been here in like a month and a half what the fuck is you doin'
DMX is frustrated by the person's absence and wants to know what they have been doing.
And I ain't gon' be for two more fuckin' months, the fuck do you want
The person tells DMX they won't be home for two more months and he is annoyed at them for not being honest with him.
Leave me the fuck alone
DMX wants the person to stop bothering him and to leave him alone.
Goodbye!
DMX is done with the conversation and ends it by saying goodbye.
Hello?
DMX's phone rings and he answers it.
Yo, what's up?
DMX greets the person on the other end of the line.
Nothing, what's going on? You alright?
The person asks DMX how he's doing and if he's okay.
I'm not alright right now, right now shit is kinda crazy, my wife ain't here
DMX tells the person that he is not doing well right now because his wife is not with him.
She's buggin' out again?
The person knows that DMX's wife has caused him issues in the past and asks if she's causing him issues again.
She's buggin' the fuck out, I don't know, what the fuck is her problem
DMX is frustrated by his wife's behavior and does not understand why she is acting that way.
I told you that you deserve better than that
The person on the phone reminds DMX that he deserves to be treated better than the way his wife is treating him.
Ayo, hold on, you was right? I'll be hold in a minute
DMX takes a moment to reflect on what the person has said and agrees with them.
I'll be here the door will be open
The person tells DMX that they will be waiting for him and that the door will be open when he arrives.
Aight!
DMX acknowledges the person's words and says 'okay' in agreement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anthony Fields, Charly Charles, Earl Simmons, Randy Muller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind