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".
That's My Baby
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like a walk in the park
She even fuck with a nigga in the dark
She been fuckin with a nigga from the start
Cause she fucked with a nigga from the heart
Man, it don't get no realer
See her fuckin with another nigga I'll kill her!
Huh, that's how much I feel her
BUT - that's my baby
She's the only one that, make me crazy
Ain't no maybes, never act shady
And at the end of the day she STILL my lady!
Say what you want, that's my baby
Only one that drives me crazy
End of the day she's still my lady
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
Bigger than words!
Hey, HEY! Somethin special about her
And it ain't even the pussy, I just can't live without her
Independent chick, yeah she work
Strong, but if I do wrong, then yeah she hurt
HEY! We all got feelings
What we feel is so real, it's straight to the ceiling
After a long day of robbin and stealin
A nigga come home for some (sexual healin)
Yeah, that's my boo
Only she understand what I been through (ooh babe)
She got my heart, let it do what it do
Said, "I love you baby!" I love you too (sexual healin)
Say what you want, that's my baby
Only one that drives me crazy
End of the day she's still my lady
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
Bigger than words!
Say, say, say what you will
Say what you want, say what you see
Man, I went to school with her
Since 14 I was fool with her
To see her bent over, I shot pool with her
Bitch was so bad didn't know what to do with her
In the hood she was that chick
And I was that nigga who with that bitch
And if I went and lost my life
I'd die knowin she was my wife
I'll rest in peace
Say what you want, that's my baby
Only one that drives me crazy
End of the day she's still my lady
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
She got my back, I got HERRRRS
More than words!
The lyrics of DMX's "That's My Baby" are a testament to the loyalty and dedication of his significant other. DMX describes the depth of his feelings for his lover, stating that his love for her is so strong that he would literally kill for her. He compares his love to a drug addiction, as she is the dealer and he is the fiend. DMX also acknowledges the emotional support his lover provides him, as she is always there for him no matter what.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of rough love, with DMX acknowledging that his lover will become hurt if he does wrong by her. Despite this, he remains dedicated to her and acknowledges that it is something special about her that goes beyond physical attraction. DMX reminisces about knowing her since they were young and the wild times they shared together. He ends the song with the ultimate declaration of love, stating that he would die knowing that she was his wife.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, uh, uh, uh, OWW!
DMX is hyping himself up with some ad-libs before the song starts.
It's like a walk in the park
Being with his baby is effortless and enjoyable, like taking a stroll in a park.
She even fuck with a nigga in the dark
DMX's baby is so loyal that she'll sleep with him even when the lights are out.
She been fuckin with a nigga from the start
She's been with DMX since the very beginning, through thick and thin.
Cause she fucked with a nigga from the heart
DMX's baby loves him deeply and genuinely from her heart.
Man, it don't get no realer
There's no one more real and true than his baby.
See her fuckin with another nigga I'll kill her!
If DMX catches his baby cheating, he won't hesitate to end her life.
Huh, that's how much I feel her
DMX's love for his baby is so strong that he would react violently if she cheated on him.
It's like I'm the fiend and she's the dealer
DMX is addicted to his baby, just like a drug addict is addicted to his dealer.
BUT - that's my baby
Despite his possessiveness and violent tendencies, DMX loves his baby and is proud to call her his own.
She's the only one that, make me crazy
DMX's baby is the only person in the world who can drive him insane, but he still loves her.
Ain't no maybes, never act shady
DMX's baby is always honest and trustworthy, and he never suspects her of anything shady.
And at the end of the day she STILL my lady!
No matter what happens during the day, DMX's baby is still the love of his life.
Hey, HEY! Somethin special about her
DMX's baby is unique and special in his eyes.
And it ain't even the pussy, I just can't live without her
DMX's love for his baby goes beyond physical attraction - he can't imagine his life without her.
Independent chick, yeah she work
DMX's baby is a strong and independent woman who has a job.
Strong, but if I do wrong, then yeah she hurt
Even though she's independent, DMX's baby still feels hurt when he mistreats her.
We all got feelings
DMX acknowledges that everyone has emotions, including his baby.
What we feel is so real, it's straight to the ceiling
DMX's love for his baby is so intense and authentic that it fills him up completely.
After a long day of robbin and stealin
DMX has a tough life, filled with crime and danger.
A nigga come home for some (sexual healin)
But at the end of the day, what DMX wants most is to be intimate with his baby.
Yeah, that's my boo
DMX affectionately refers to his baby as his boo.
Only she understand what I been through (ooh babe)
DMX feels like his baby is the only one who truly understands him and his struggles.
She got my heart, let it do what it do
DMX trusts his baby with his heart and allows her to have control over it.
Said, "I love you baby!" I love you too (sexual healin)
DMX and his baby express their love for each other, and prepare to be intimate.
Man, I went to school with her
DMX has known his baby since they were in school together.
Since 14 I was fool with her
DMX has been in love with his baby since they were 14 years old.
To see her bent over, I shot pool with her
DMX has been intimate with his baby for a long time, and it still excites him to see her in certain positions.
Bitch was so bad didn't know what to do with her
DMX was initially overwhelmed by how attractive his baby was, and didn't know how to handle it.
In the hood she was that chick
DMX's baby is well-respected and admired in their community.
And I was that nigga who with that bitch
DMX and his baby have been together for so long that they're seen as a package deal in their community.
And if I went and lost my life
If DMX were to die, even violently, he would die happy knowing that his baby was still his wife.
I'll rest in peace
DMX is at peace with the idea of dying knowing that his baby would still be by his side.
More than words!
DMX's love for his baby is something that can't be expressed just through words - it's a deep, intense feeling that goes beyond language.
Contributed by Connor L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gena Skinner
Love it!
Shannie Jai
Rest in Power Dark Man X.🖤🖤🖤
Kls Muzik
classic rap
Paris
Fire 🔥
Paul Perez
This song should of got more play but a mixtape classic
JaMaul Mewborn
Classic track by X...RIP bruh
Valorie Lowe
I love this song, for my baby.
Quagoveli
RIP GOAT
Yaki Moon
1 of my favorite
Kirby Featherhat
That's My Baby