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".
We're Back )
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is what you're tellin me, okay
It all comes down to this huh? Okay
This is what you fuckin tellin me?
That this is it? Okay (GRRRRRRRRRR)
How many slugs should I plug into yo' chest before it's get filled
Since you ain't got nothin' else to do but get killed
Empty a clip of hollow tips into yo' daughter's face
'Cause that's just the type of shit that I'm on
Collect my dough, make the fuckin' hit and I'm gone
I ain't never got's to worry about the aim
Infrared, to your head, will make sure, I hit him in the brain
BLAOW! One mo' time for good luck - for what?!
He was already dead, what the fuck?!
I be, breakin' my shit up OFF in a nigga
When I don't see, nothin' but SOFT in a nigga
Fuckin' coward, I wonder how it - feels
To have to look at your moms - squeal, after I hit her with the steel
I'll, that's how a nigga blows shit up
Believe whoever I hit up, will never get up
Tell me, how it's goin' down nigga
If I'm bein' a fuckin' clown nigga (yeah)
Take a couple of rounds nigga, I keep a toast real close
In case I gotta turn the rest of yo' peeps into ghosts
Fuck it I'm ready for combat, with a gat
That'll make any nigga, become a meal for the fuckin' rats
There won't be nothin' left of money but a soupbone
Big Motherfuckin' DMX from the group home
[Chorus]
Niggaz don't mean what they say when they talk
Niggaz lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Niggaz don't mean what they say when they talk
Niggaz lean a certain kind of way when they walk
[Eve]
Since the first day in it, I made a promise to myself
I was gonna make it happen, that's the way I felt
You know Philly never scared, play the cards we dealt
Doin' it my way, you bitches strugglin' for help
I hear your rumors and your so-called beefs
But it's a different story any time we meet in the streets
I'm fully in it bitch, your shit is juvenile to me
We can squash it, go 'head let you warm up the crowd for me
I hate to even be like this, y'all bring it out
To tell the truth it excites me, I scream it out
Sick with it, ain't a bitch that can get wid'dit
Admit it, I'm that bitch you can't live wid'dit
And I'ma keep it comin long as I'm here
Pitbull, back at'cha neck, I'm hearin them cheer
E-V-E is what they need in they life, I'm bout mine
Now I'm done wit'chu, fuck out my face, wastin my time
[Chorus]
Bitches don't mean what they say when they talk
Bitches lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Bitches don't mean what they say when they talk
Bitches lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Nahh! Uh, yeah, ah-yo
I got a wet haze, coke, and a p-blow block
But y'all still missin the point like a free throw shot
Get it? This ain't some'n you learn, this is some and you earn
Turn it up and give me somethin' to burn
That boy 'Kiss is a hell of a man
Treat your life like a cell phone, so try to get a helluva plan
'Cause most dudes left the hood broke
A couple knew what they was doin, so they came back like good coke
Down South they'll tell you 'Kiss is good folk (that's right)
Up North I hit my niggaz off with good smoke
Out West they ridin with me, now I'm back hard
I'm just worried bout the rats that's in my back yard
Hated by many, confronted by none
I trust two guys, one's God, and one is my gun
Jada is the nice guy, 'Kiss is the monster
D-Block and Double are is my sponsor
[Chorus]
Cowards don't mean what they say when they talk
Cowards lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Cowards don't mean what they say when they talk
Cowards lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Fuckin' cowards!
Niggaz can't be fuckin' serious, y'all niggaz pussy
Niggaz pussy - y'all don't like it? BRING IT, BITCH!
Just a lil' somethin' man, to let y'all know
To niggaz know man, matter of fact
Matter of fact y'all niggaz, excuse my back man!
Straight up y'all niggaz, pardon my back!
I ain't got no rap for no sucka-ass niggaz!
Five time motherfuckin' champ!
Five times! BITCH! Touch that! Then holla back!
Motherfucker!
A nigga done had this rap shit
I'm out..
The song "We're Back" by DMX featuring Eve and Jadakiss is a typical hardcore rap song that talks about the gangster lifestyle of urban America, and the violent and ruthless nature of people who live within it. The lyrics of the song are explicit and full of aggression, boasting about the willingness to kill and the readiness for violence. DMX is the first to rap and sets the tone for the song by asking how many bullets he needs to put in someone's chest before they're dead. He talks about being a "fiend" and enjoying the taste of slaughter, inferring that he gets a rush from killing. Eve's verse is about her being a female who is not afraid of this world and who is confident about her place in it. She tells of the struggles that women in the music industry and in life face and how she is determined to overcome them. Jadakiss joins in on the third verse, rapping about how he is a "monster" and a force to be reckoned with. He tells us about his success in making money and getting respect in the industry.
The recurring chorus talks about how people don't mean what they say when they talk and how they lean a certain way when they walk. This seems to be an abstract way of saying that people are not always truthful and are hiding something. The use of the word "lean" is possibly a suggestion that people are leaning towards the side of turning on one another or not being true to themselves.
The song showcases the gritty and raw power of DMX's delivery as he delivers his verses with deep conviction and feeling. The song is typical of the genre and follows a specific formula, with each rapper taking a different verse to talk about their experiences and stories. Overall, the song is a reflection of the culture it emerged from and the issues that plagued inner-city communities in the late '90s and early 2000s.
Line by Line Meaning
This is what you're tellin me, okay
You're trying to communicate something to me, right?
It all comes down to this huh? Okay
So this is the final conclusion, right?
This is what you fuckin tellin me?
Is this really the information you're giving me?
That this is it? Okay (GRRRRRRRRRR)
That this is the end of it? Fine then.
How many slugs should I plug into yo' chest before it's get filled
How many bullets do I need to shoot into your chest to kill you?
Since you ain't got nothin' else to do but get killed
Since you have no other purpose but to die
Been a fiend every since I found out how a slaughter taste
I've been addicted to violence once I experienced its taste
Empty a clip of hollow tips into yo' daughter's face
Shoot a whole magazine of hollow-point bullets into your daughter's face
'Cause that's just the type of shit that I'm on
That's the kind of violent behavior I engage in
Collect my dough, make the fuckin' hit and I'm gone
Get my money, make the successful criminal operation, and disappear
I ain't never got's to worry about the aim
I never have to worry about hitting my target
Infrared, to your head, will make sure, I hit him in the brain
Using an infrared sight, I'll shoot you in the head to guarantee a brain shot
BLAOW! One mo' time for good luck - for what?!
Bam! One more shot for good luck - but why?
He was already dead, what the fuck?!
He was already dead, what's the point of shooting him again?
I be, breakin' my shit up OFF in a nigga
I thoroughly beat and damage someone
When I don't see, nothin' but SOFT in a nigga
When I only see weakness in an individual
Fuckin' coward, I wonder how it - feels
Pathetic coward, I wonder how you feel
To have to look at your moms - squeal, after I hit her with the steel
To witness your mother scream after I shoot her
I'll, that's how a nigga blows shit up
That's how I, as a person, cause chaos
Believe whoever I hit up, will never get up
Believe that anyone I attack will never recover
Tell me, how it's goin' down nigga
Explain to me, how is everything happening, man?
If I'm bein' a fuckin' clown nigga (yeah)
If I'm acting like a foolish person, man?
Take a couple of rounds nigga, I keep a toast real close
Take a few bullets, man, I always carry a gun nearby
In case I gotta turn the rest of yo' peeps into ghosts
Just in case I have to kill the rest of your crew
Since the first day in it, I made a promise to myself
Since the very beginning, I made a commitment to myself
I was gonna make it happen, that's the way I felt
I was determined to succeed, that's how I felt
You know Philly never scared, play the cards we dealt
You know we're fearless in Philadelphia, we deal with whatever comes our way
Doin' it my way, you bitches strugglin' for help
I'm doing things my way, while you bitches beg for assistance
I hear your rumors and your so-called beefs
I hear about the rumors and conflicts you spread
But it's a different story any time we meet in the streets
But when we encounter each other in the streets, it's a whole different situation
I'm fully in it bitch, your shit is juvenile to me
I'm fully involved in this game, your actions are childish in my eyes
We can squash it, go 'head let you warm up the crowd for me
We can resolve our issues, go ahead and entertain the crowd before my performance
I hate to even be like this, y'all bring it out
I hate to behave this way, but you provoke it
To tell the truth it excites me, I scream it out
To be honest, it excites me, I loudly express my emotions
Sick with it, ain't a bitch that can get wid'dit
I'm skilled and talented, no other woman can compete with me
Admit it, I'm that bitch you can't live wid'dit
Acknowledge that I'm the woman you can't live without
And I'ma keep it comin long as I'm here
And I'll continue to deliver as long as I'm alive
Pitbull, back at'cha neck, I'm hearin them cheer
I'm aggressive and fierce, I have the crowd cheering for me
E-V-E is what they need in they life, I'm bout mine
They need someone like Eve in their lives, I focus on myself
Now I'm done wit'chu, fuck out my face, wastin my time
Now I'm finished dealing with you, get out of my sight, you're wasting my time
Nahh! Uh, yeah, ah-yo
No, uh, yeah, listen
I got a wet haze, coke, and a p-blow block
I have high-quality marijuana, cocaine, and a street corner for selling drugs
But y'all still missin the point like a free throw shot
But you're still not getting the point, just like missing a free throw shot
Get it? This ain't some'n you learn, this is some and you earn
Understand? This is not something you can learn, it's something you have to deserve
Turn it up and give me somethin' to burn
Increase the volume and provide me with a beat to rap over
That boy 'Kiss is a hell of a man
Jadakiss is a remarkable man
Treat your life like a cell phone, so try to get a helluva plan
Handle your life like a cell phone and make sure you have a great strategy
'Cause most dudes left the hood broke
Because most guys who left the neighborhood ended up poor
A couple knew what they was doin, so they came back like good coke
A few knew what they were doing and returned rich and successful
Down South they'll tell you 'Kiss is good folk
In the Southern states, they will say Jadakiss is a good person
Up North I hit my niggaz off with good smoke
In the Northern states, I provide my people with high-quality marijuana
Out West they ridin with me, now I'm back hard
In the Western states, they support me, and now I'm back stronger than ever
I'm just worried bout the rats that's in my back yard
I'm only concerned about the snitches in my neighborhood
Hated by many, confronted by none
I'm disliked by many people, but no one dares confront me
I trust two guys, one's God, and one is my gun
I only trust two individuals: God and my firearm
Jada is the nice guy, 'Kiss is the monster
Jadakiss has a friendly persona, while 'Kiss represents my aggressive side
D-Block and Double are is my sponsor
D-Block and Double R (Record Label) are supporting and endorsing me
Cowards don't mean what they say when they talk
Cowards don't actually mean their words when they speak
Cowards lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Cowards have a specific manner of walking
Bitches don't mean what they say when they talk
Women don't truly mean their words when they speak
Bitches lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Women have a particular manner of walking
Niggaz don't mean what they say when they talk
Men don't really mean their words when they speak
Niggaz lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Men have a specific manner of walking
Fuckin' cowards!
Damn cowards!
Niggaz can't be fuckin' serious, y'all niggaz pussy
Men can't be serious, you guys are cowards
Niggaz pussy - y'all don't like it? BRING IT, BITCH!
Men are cowards - you don't like it? Come on, bring it, bitch!
Just a lil' somethin' man, to let y'all know
Just a little something, man, to inform all of you
To niggaz know man, matter of fact
So that men know, in fact
Matter of fact y'all niggaz, excuse my back man!
In fact, you guys, excuse my sudden departure!
Straight up y'all niggaz, pardon my back!
Honestly, you guys, sorry for turning my back on you!
I ain't got no rap for no sucka-ass niggaz!
I have nothing to say to weak individuals!
Five time motherfuckin' champ!
I'm a five-time fucking champion!
Five times! BITCH! Touch that! Then holla back!
Five times! Bitch! Challenge that if you dare! Then respond!
Motherfucker!
Damn it!
A nigga done had this rap shit
I've experienced this rap industry
I'm out..
I'm done with it..
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: FRANKLIN CRUM, EVE JEFFERS, JASON PHILLIPS, JASON T PHILLIPS, EDWIN SERRANO, EARL SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind