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".
Shorty Was Da Bomb
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
â??I just called you, you said that you were on your way
but there's just one problem... I'm all the
way to fucking Rochester, New York. Wrong. Ho.â??
Doggs gone be doggs don't fuck wit a dogg
if you can't take care of a dogg you know whut i say
take it easy, lady, you know give me a motherfuckin break, will ya?
shorty was da bomb brown skin honey with the dough
found out she was a lil' ho but still yo
pushed up shorty had that ass like BLAOW!!!!
had me schemin and how! How can i get that now?
was like Girlfriend, let me drop a bug in you're ear
she didn't mind 'cause i told her whut she wanted to hear
was like â??Yeah!â?? she knew she was how it was goin down
she said, â??Page me, code zero, 'cause i know you get around!â??
Didn't even have a man, but even if she did then
'cause my game is tight like i stop to cap on a nigga head
i said, woke up, like, 9, or sumthin
don't act like when i say that ass is mine, i'm frontin!
Uhhh that night she let me get that, hit that
ripped that, bounced off the walls and flipped that
But only one thing went wrong
the rubber bust but i didn't fuss 'cause dogg!!!!
shorty was da bomb!
[chorus]
Shortyyyy.... UHHHH!! we only did it full that night
and man the pussy was good
but shorty's fuckin up my life (fuckin up my life)
Shortyyyy.... UHHHH!! we only did it full that night
but man that pussy was good
but shorty's fuckin up my life.... c'mon, ma! gimme a break!
a few days later, i hit her up just to be real
I like, â??Whuttup, Boo, how you been, how you feel?â??
She said, â??Aiight, but my friend's kinda late
Today's the thirteenth, it shoulda been here on the eighthâ??
I'm like, â??For real? Well stress a pill
You better 'cause i can't afford another lil' one.â??
She said, â??Neither can Iâ?? I said, â??Cool
'cause i got mad shit to do and you still in school
so at least we got the same thing in mind.â??
If didn't have this kid, then everything woulda been fine
BUT i was blind! for the fact that she was settin me up for the kill
damn! why wasn't she on The Pill?!
And i still check up on her, like, once a week
sometimes i hit it, sometimes i didn't
but Shorty was a frea, and whenever i would speak
on the baby, she'd be like:
"I ain't havin this kid, is you crazy?!!"
Shortyyyy.... UHHHH!! we only did it full that night
(listen man, only one muthafuckin night!)
And man the pussy was good (i ain't gone front it was good as a muthafucka)
But Shorty's fuckin up my life (man, this bitch is a fuckin headache!)
Shortyyyy.... UHHHH!! we only did it full that night (one muthafuckin night,
it was nuthin but
trouble)
But Man the pussy was good (The pussy!! Man, let me tell ya....)
But Shorty's fuckin up my life (dogg, man, this bitch....!)
C'mon Ma, gimme a break!!
By now wasn't lookin too good
'cause she wasn't doin things that she told me she would
like gettin the price checked out for whut we had to do
and it goes up in the arguements after two
and a half, man i had to laugh at her frustrations
now she's four months ready to hit the bus station
if i was still in that shit wit her made me rob her
told her friends, â??DMX is my baby's father!â??
Lil' stomache was showin' so now the heat is on
well maybe we'll see the light if i start to treat her wrong
i guess she thought that if she keeped the baby, she would keep me
got the game on high level, gettin sneaky
had the kid she said it was premature
found out she was six months when she said she was four
so i left her with the pressure on the next man's arm
she'll be aiight 'cause shorty was da bomb!
Shortyyyy.... UHHHH!! we only did it full that night
(man one muthafuckin night? Get real!)
and man the pussy was good (the pussy it ate the dick up like THAT!)
but shorty's fuckin up my life (This bitch won't quit CALLIN'!!!!)
Shorty..... UHHHH!! (she was kinda cute though) we only did it full that night
(it only takes one night, man, hehehehe)
but man that pussy was good (Mmm Mmmm Mmm!!!!)
But Shorty's fuckin up my life C'mon, Ma! Gimme a break!!
The song "Shorty Was Da Bomb" by DMX tells the story of a young woman whom the rapper meets and has a one-night stand with. At first, DMX finds her irresistible and describes her physical attributes with enthusiasm. From there, the lyrics depict the aftermath of the tryst, revealing nuances about the young woman's character. She is revealed to be a potential "gold digger," lying about her pregnancy and trying to keep DMX around through deception. He ends things with her, but not before expressing frustration and regret at the situation.
In the first verse, DMX describes how he meets the girl, and he describes her beauty in great detail. DMX who plays the singer then begins to explain the nature of their relationship, stating that despite finding out that she was a "ho," he continued to pursue her. The rapper then goes on to describe the encounter they had, and he praises her performance. DMX then reveals that things go wrong in the aftermath of their encounter when he finds out that she is pregnant. He expresses his frustration and regret concerning their encounter, stating that her actions are "fucking up [his] life."
Throughout "Shorty Was Da Bomb," DMX effectively depicts the situation and the emotions of the characters with vivid language and precise imagery. The song represents the challenge of navigating complicated relationships, and DMX's honesty and storytelling ability are what make it such an impactful and relatable song.
Line by Line Meaning
I just called you, you said that you were on your way but there's just one problem... I'm all the way to fucking Rochester, New York. Wrong. Ho.
DMX calls Shorty and finds out that she lied about being nearby, causing him to curse at her and call her out for being a liar and an 'ho.'
Doggs gone be doggs don't fuck wit a dogg if you can't take care of a dogg you know whut i say
DMX warns that if you can't handle being with him, then you shouldn't even try. It's a dog eat dog world.
take it easy, lady, you know give me a motherfuckin break, will ya?
DMX is annoyed with Shorty and sarcastically asks her to cut him some slack, implying that she's causing him trouble.
shorty was da bomb brown skin honey with the dough found out she was a lil' ho but still yo
DMX describes Shorty as an attractive woman with money, but he later finds out that she has a tendency to sleep around, yet he still pursues her.
pushed up shorty had that ass like BLAOW!!!! had me schemin and how! How can i get that now?
DMX was infatuated with Shorty’s physical appearance, and he was trying to find a way to get closer to her.
was like Girlfriend, let me drop a bug in you're ear she didn't mind 'cause i told her whut she wanted to hear
DMX manipulates Shorty by telling her what she wants to hear, despite knowing that he doesn't really care about building a relationship with her.
was like â??Yeah!â?? she knew she was how it was goin down she said, â??Page me, code zero, 'cause i know you get around!â??
Shorty and DMX agree to continue seeing each other despite her knowledge of his promiscuous ways, and she acknowledges his lifestyle by sharing her pager number with him.
Didn't even have a man, but even if she did then 'cause my game is tight like i stop to cap on a nigga head
DMX boasts about his skills in seducing women, stating that he could even turn a woman who already has a man with his game.
i said, woke up, like, 9, or sumthin don't act like when i say that ass is mine, i'm frontin!
DMX affirms his sexual conquest with Shorty, stating that she is his and that he isn't lying about it.
Uhhh that night she let me get that, hit that ripped that, bounced off the walls and flipped that
DMX brags about his sexual experience with Shorty, describing their encounter in explicit detail.
the rubber bust but i didn't fuss 'cause dogg!!!! shorty was da bomb!
DMX admits that the condom broke during their sexual encounter, but he was unconcerned since he was so infatuated with Shorty.
Shortyyyy.... UHHHH!! we only did it full that night and man the pussy was good but shorty's fuckin up my life (fuckin up my life)
DMX regrets sleeping with Shorty since she's causing him problems and bringing drama into his life.
a few days later, i hit her up just to be real I like, â??Whuttup, Boo, how you been, how you feel?â??
DMX contacts Shorty to check in on how she's doing and continue their sexual relationship.
She said, â??Aiight, but my friend's kinda late Today's the thirteenth, it shoulda been here on the eighthâ??
Shorty tells DMX that she's potentially pregnant and concerned about her missed period. She's five days late.
I'm like, â??For real? Well stress a pill You better 'cause i can't afford another lil' one.â??
DMX advises Shorty to take the morning-after pill to prevent a pregnancy since he doesn't want to have more children.
She said, â??Neither can Iâ?? I said, â??Cool 'cause i got mad shit to do and you still in school so at least we got the same thing in mind.â??
Shorty reveals that she isn't ready to have kids either, so they agree that they share a common goal of avoiding pregnancy and can continue their relationship without consequences.
If didn't have this kid, then everything woulda been fine BUT i was blind!
DMX acknowledges that his life would have been easier if Shorty hadn't become pregnant, but he didn't see the situation clearly at the time.
for the fact that she was settin me up for the kill damn! why wasn't she on The Pill?!
DMX realizes that Shorty might have intentionally gotten pregnant, and he blames her for not being on birth control.
And i still check up on her, like, once a week sometimes i hit it, sometimes i didn't
DMX continues to see Shorty on a regular basis, but he isn't always interested in having sex with her.
but Shorty was a frea, and whenever i would speak on the baby, she'd be like: "I ain't havin this kid, is you crazy?!!
Shorty denies being responsible for her pregnancy and blames DMX.
Lil' stomache was showin' so now the heat is on well maybe we'll see the light if i start to treat her wrong
Shorty's pregnancy becomes more visible, and DMX contemplates how he can avoid taking responsibility for the child by mistreating her, hoping that she will leave him alone.
i guess she thought that if she keeped the baby, she would keep me got the game on high level, gettin sneaky
Shorty hopes to keep DMX in her life by keeping the baby, but DMX realizes that she's manipulating him and becoming more deceptive.
had the kid she said it was premature found out she was six months when she said she was four
Shorty tells DMX that the baby was born prematurely, but he later finds out that she was lying about her due date and the baby's gestational age.
so i left her with the pressure on the next man's arm she'll be aiight 'cause shorty was da bomb!
DMX decides to leave Shorty and the baby, believing that she will find another man to take care of her. Despite everything, he admits that he was still attracted to her physical appearance.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EARL SIMMONS, DAMON J. BLACKMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind