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".
The Omen
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's not ready to die
Oh God, he's going to take him from us!
I hear him comin'! I hear him coming!
No, coming!
(Mmm. Him. Him. Him. Him.)
Oh God, please don't take my child
(What's this?)
Oh God, he's gonna take him from us!
Still right here shorty, told you I got you
Like the way I scooped you when them faggot niggas shot you
I'ma hold you down and I mean that for real
But everytime you beef with a nigga, I end up having to kill
It ain't like that and hey forget about them two kids
'Bout to get a deal and I'm just as nice as you is
Oh you think
Nah, I'm just playing whassup got some new bitches, I know you tryna get fucked
Not really
What, I ain't your man no more
Just because a nigga, don't need a hand no more
You know how we do, if one goes soft
We all take the pussy and go up in her raw
It's like now, where you going, I ain't tryin' to take it
Fucking with a nigga like you, I won't make it
It'll be what it is
Yo, you in for the night
I'm 'bout to take it to the crib
You get home, aight?
The snakes (snake), the rats (rat)
The cat and the dog
How you gonna live
When you're in the fog
The snakes (snake), the rats (rat)
The cat and the dog
How you gonna live
When you're in the fog
Yo, I ain't fucking with this nigga no more, word to my mother
Fuck it, so you know I'm for sure, word to my brother
It's like he's gotten worse than before, son of "I wonder"
What type of dirt this nigga got in store for me to get under?
Then I get the call
Yo, X
Police just killed your cousin, underneath the projects
Don't get vexed, niggas'll pay, 'member I got you
Told you I got you
Dawg, I got you
I'm in a catch twenty-two, but them niggas got to pay
But I know he gon' be asking for a favor one day
But fuck it, I ain't got no choice in the matter
Them faggots killed my peoples, and I wanna see 'em splatter
That's what I'm talking 'bout, we ain't on no kid shit
And I'ma use the same gun that you killed them two kids with
Is that hard to live with? Nah
See, you still a playa
But what you want from me?
Ahh, I'll tell you later
The snake (snake), the rats (rat)
The cat and the dog
How you gonna live
When you're in the fog
The snakes (snake), the rats (rat)
The cat and the dog
How you gonna live
When you're in the fog
Shit is all over the news, bomb goes off in Central
What the fuck have I gotten myself into?
The mental, is like, get the fuck outta there
I'm out
Hey, going somewhere?
Nah
What the bag for
Fuck it, what you want?
Can your nigga come inside, for a minute and puff a blunt?
Here we go again
After what I just gave you
Wasn't acting like that, when you asked for that favor
Yo, I ain't ask you for shit!
Oh yes you did
When you really needed something then you allowed me to give
You sold me your soul when you didn't say no
Just let a nigga go, and gimme what you owe
Fuck was you thinking? Ain't shit for free
Ain't a motherfucker you know, can defeat me
Forgive me Father, for I have sinned
And with your help, I know the Devil won't win
Kill kill kill, kill kill kill
Take you all on our way to hell
Kill kill kill, kill kill kill
We're gon', do do it, do it well
Kill kill kill, kill kill kill
Take you all on our way to hell
Kill kill kill, kill kill kill
We don't want to do it and we do it well
This is Marilyn Manson, DMX, Ruff Ryders
This is Marilyn Manson, DMX, Ruff Ryders, Swizz Beatz
DMX Ruff Ryders Swizz Beatz Ruff Ryders Swizz Beatz
The lyrics of DMX's "Omen" express a father's fear of losing his child as the grim reaper approaches. The father pleads with God not to take his child, saying that he is not ready to die yet. The song then circles around the violent life of DMX and his group, where he talks to his friend, who he has helped protect in the past, about his situation of having to kill to protect his friend. He addresses the chaos and violence of everyday life in his hood, where snakes, rats, cats, and dogs coexist, and you have to be tough to live through it. The song culminates with DMX rapping about how he has sold his soul to the devil and is bound for hell, but he hopes to win with the help of his father.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh God, please don't take my child
The singer pleads to God not to take their child
He's not ready to die
The child is not prepared to die
Oh God, he's going to take him from us!
The singer fears that God is going to take their child
I hear him comin'! I hear him coming!
The artist hears someone approaching
No, coming!
The artist corrects themselves about the approaching person's action
Still right here shorty, told you I got you
The singer reassures the person they are with that they have their back
Like the way I scooped you when them faggot niggas shot you
The singer references a past event where they helped the person when they were shot by someone they refer to as derogatory
I'ma hold you down and I mean that for real
The artist assures the person they will always support them
But everytime you beef with a nigga, I end up having to kill
The artist is frustrated that they always have to fight and potentially kill for the person they are with
It ain't like that and hey forget about them two kids
The artist dismisses the past actions and advises to forget about them
'Bout to get a deal and I'm just as nice as you is
The singer shares that they are happy for the person who is about to get a deal and that they are just as good
The snakes (snake), the rats (rat)
The artist refers to deceitful people as snakes and rats
The cat and the dog
The singer refers to the common phrase 'fighting like cats and dogs' to describe tension and fighting
How you gonna live
The singer questions how one can survive in a world with deceitful people
When you're in the fog
The singer uses 'the fog' as a metaphor for confusion and uncertainty in this world
Yo, X
The artist addresses DMX
Police just killed your cousin, underneath the projects
The artist informs DMX that his cousin was killed by the police
Don't get vexed, niggas'll pay, 'member I got you
The singer advises DMX not to get mad, as they will get revenge and reminds him that they have his back
Dawg, I got you
The singer reiterates that they have DMX's back
That's what I'm talking 'bout, we ain't on no kid shit
The artist agrees with getting revenge and emphasizes that they are not children
And I'ma use the same gun that you killed them two kids with
The artist plans to use the gun that DMX used in the past to kill some people
Is that hard to live with? Nah
The artist doesn't have a problem with using the gun again
This is Marilyn Manson, DMX, Ruff Ryders, Swizz Beatz
This line is a shoutout to the musicians who collaborated on the song
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAMON J BLACKMAN, KASSEEM DEAN, EARL SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind