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. Sisqรณ 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 ft. Eve Jadakiss
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It all comes down to this huh? Okay
This is what you fuckin' tellin' me?
That this is it? Okay (grr)
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
Been a fiend every since I found out how a slaughter taste
'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 gots to worry about the aim
Infrared, to your head, will make sure, I hit him in the brain
Blow, 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
Ill, 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 soup bone
Big motherfuckin' DMX from the group home
Niggas don't mean what they say when they talk
Niggas lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Niggas don't mean what they say when they talk
Niggas lean a certain kind of way when they walk
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 wit' it, ain't a bitch that can get wit' it
Admit it, I'm that bitch you can't live wit' it
And I'm a keep it comin' long as I'm here
Pitbull, back at ya 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
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
Ay 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 somethin' you learn, this is somethin' 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 hell of a 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 niggas 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 R is my sponsor
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
Niggas can't be fuckin' serious, y'all niggas pussy
Niggas pussy, y'all don't like it? Bring it, bitch
Just a lil' somethin' man, to let y'all know
To niggas know man, matter of fact
Matter of fact y'all niggas, excuse my back man
Straight up y'all niggas, pardon my back
I ain't got no rap for no sucka-ass niggas
Five time motherfuckin' champ
Five times, bitch, touch that, then holla back
Motherfucker
A nigga done had this rap shit
I'm out
The lyrics of DMXโs song โWeโre Backโ are about violence, drugs, and the street life. The rapper speaks about his willingness to use guns to kill his enemies and their children. He boasts about his ability to inflict harm and seems to take pleasure in the harm that he inflicts. The chorus repeats โNiggas donโt mean what they say when they talk, Niggas lean a certain kind of way when they walkโ which can be interpreted to mean that people will say one thing, but really mean something else. It could also be interpreted that people act differently than they speak. The song also features rappers Eve and Jadakiss, who talk about their experiences in the music industry, their skill as rappers, and their feelings towards those who are not truthful or genuine.
The song was released in 2006 as part of DMXโs album โYear of the Dogโฆ Again.โ It was produced by Swizz Beatz and features rappers Eve and Jadakiss. โWeโre Backโ received mixed reviews from critics who were divided on the album and the group of rappers that collaborated on the song. The song was not a commercial success, but it did receive airplay on urban and hip-hop radio stations. DMXโs music has long been associated with his tough upbringing and street life, and โWeโre Backโ is no exception. The lyrics are explicit and violent, and paint a grim picture of the realities of life on the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
This is what you're tellin' me, okay
So this is what it all boils down to?
It all comes down to this huh? Okay
So this is it then, huh?
This is what you fuckin' tellin' me?
Is this really what you're telling me?
That this is it? Okay (grr)
So this is really it, huh?
How many slugs should I plug into yo' chest before it's get filled
How many bullets should I shoot into your chest before you die?
Since you ain't got nothin' else to do but get killed
Since you have nothing better to do than to get yourself killed
Been a fiend every since I found out how a slaughter taste
Ever since I tasted blood, I have been addicted to killing
Empty a clip of hollow tips into yo' daughter's face
I will shoot your daughter in the face with a gun
'Cause that's just the type of shit that I'm on
Because that is the kind of evil acts that I am capable of
Collect my dough, make the fuckin' hit and I'm gone
I will collect my payment, assassinate the target, and disappear
I ain't never gots to worry about the aim
I never have to worry about missing my target
Infrared, to your head, will make sure, I hit him in the brain
Using infrared technology, I will ensure that I hit my target in the head
Blow, one mo' time for good luck, for what
Shoot one more time as good luck, but why bother?
He was already dead, what the fuck
The target was already dead, so why bother with another shot?
I be, breakin' my shit up off in a nigga
I will break my weapons on someone if I have to
When I don't see, nothin' but soft in a nigga
If I see weakness in a person, I will show them no mercy
Fuckin' coward, I wonder how it, feels
I despise cowards, and I wonder how they feel
To have to look at your moms, squeal, after I hit her with the steel
I will make your mother scream in agony after I shoot her with a gun
Ill, that's how a nigga blows shit up
This is how I carry out my destructive plans
Believe whoever I hit up, will never get up
Anyone I attack will never recover or get back up again
Tell me, how it's goin' down nigga
How is everything happening, what's going on?
If I'm bein' a fuckin' clown nigga (yeah)
If I'm being foolish, tell me
Take a couple of rounds nigga, I keep a toast real close
I keep a gun close by, so take a shot if you dare
In case I gotta turn the rest of yo' peeps into ghosts
I am prepared to kill all of your friends if necessary
Fuck it I'm ready for combat, with a gat
I am prepared for battle, armed with a gun
That'll make any nigga, become a meal for the fuckin' rats
My gun is so powerful that it will turn anyone into rat food
There won't be nothin' left of money but a soup bone
I will impoverish anyone who opposes me
Big motherfuckin' DMX from the group home
I am DMX, a big motherfucker from the group home
Niggas don't mean what they say when they talk
Men don't always say what they mean
Niggas lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Men walk in a certain way that reveals their true intentions
Since the first day in it, I made a promise to myself
From the beginning, I made a vow to achieve my goals
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
People from Philly are never afraid, we just play the hand we're dealt
Doin' it my way, you bitches strugglin' for help
I am doing things my way, while others struggle and need help
I hear your rumors and your so-called beefs
I am aware of the rumors and conflicts surrounding me
But it's a different story any time we meet in the streets
But everything changes when we meet face to face
I'm fully in it bitch, your shit is juvenile to me
I am fully committed, and your actions are petty to me
We can squash it, go 'head let you warm up the crowd for me
We can resolve our issues amicably, and you can perform ahead of me
I hate to even be like this, y'all bring it out
I don't like acting this way, but you bring it out of me
To tell the truth it excites me, I scream it out
To be honest, it excites me and I express my feelings intensely
Sick wit' it, ain't a bitch that can get wit' it
I'm skilled and talented, no one can compare to me
Admit it, I'm that bitch you can't live wit' it
Admit it, you can't handle me
And I'm a keep it comin' long as I'm here
I will continue to produce music as long as I live
Pitbull, back at ya neck, I'm hearin' them cheer
I'm back on top, and I hear my fans cheering for me
E-V-E is what they need in they life, I'm 'bout mine
Eve is what they need, I care about my music career
Now I'm done wit'chu, fuck out my face, wastin' my time
I am finished with you, leave me alone, you're wasting my time
Bitches don't mean what they say when they talk
Women don't always say what they truly mean
Bitches lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Women walk in a certain way that reveals their true intentions
Ay yo
Hey there
I got a wet haze, coke, and a p-blow block
I have drugs and drug paraphernalia in my possession
But y'all still missin' the point like a free throw shot
You still don't understand, like missing a free throw shot in basketball
Get it? This ain't somethin' you learn, this is somethin' you earn
Do you understand? This isn't knowledge you gain, it is something you work hard to achieve
Turn it up and give me somethin' to burn
Turn up the music and give me a chance to show my skills
That boy 'kiss is a hell of a man
Jadakiss is a talented and skillful man
Treat your life like a cell phone, so try to get a hell of a plan
Treat your life like a valuable asset, and make a solid plan for the future
'Cause most dudes left the hood broke
Most men from the ghetto end up broke and poor
A couple knew what they was doin', so they came back like good coke
A few people utilized their resources wisely and returned as successful individuals
Down south they'll tell you 'kiss is good folk (that's right)
People in the southern US think positively of Jadakiss
Up north I hit my niggas off with good smoke
I provide my friends in the northern US with high-quality marijuana
Out west they ridin' with me, now I'm back hard
I have support from the western US, and I'm back stronger than ever
I'm just worried bout the rats that's in my back yard
I am concerned about the traitors who are close to me
Hated by many, confronted by none
I am disliked by many, but no one has ever confronted me face to face
I trust two guys, one's God, and one is my gun
I trust only two individuals, God and my firearm
Jada is the nice guy, 'kiss is the monster
Jadakiss is a kind-hearted individual, while I am the tough and intimidating one
D-Block and double R is my sponsor
D-Block and Double R (Ruff Ryders) support me and my music career
Cowards don't mean what they say when they talk
Cowards do not have the courage to speak the truth
Cowards lean a certain kind of way when they walk
Cowards walk in a certain way that reveals their lack of confidence
Fuckin' cowards
Despising cowards
Niggas can't be fuckin' serious, y'all niggas pussy
Men cannot be serious, and are weak
Niggas pussy, y'all don't like it? Bring it, bitch
You don't like what I am saying? Come and fight me then
Just a lil' somethin' man, to let y'all know
Just a little message to let you know my thoughts
To niggas know man, matter of fact
Let all men know, in fact
Matter of fact y'all niggas, excuse my back man
In fact, I apologize for turning my back to you
Straight up y'all niggas, pardon my back
Honestly, forgive me for turning my back
I ain't got no rap for no sucka-ass niggas
I have no words for weak men
Five time motherfuckin' champ
I am a five-time champion
Five times, bitch, touch that, then holla back
Five times, touch that and then respond if you dare.
Motherfucker
Expressing anger and frustration
A nigga done had this rap shit
I have had a career in the rap industry for a while
I'm out
I am finished talking/fighting and am leaving now
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Franklin Crum, Eve Jeffers, Jason Phillips, Edwin Serrano, Earl Simmons
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Arlind86
Most underrated song ever played
@rickiehicks4137
On god!!!
@haddingtoniangcp2464
"Jada is the nice guy, Kiss is the monster" ๐ฅ
@antoniomitchell1883
That was actually a simple line
@haddingtoniangcp2464
@Antonio Mitchell he broke himself in two personalities. You can't anything simple from a rapper who's never had a whack verse in his life. Ever.
@Jerrell_Johnson
My favorite DMX song ever!
@anothylangford9240
Even eve held it down on this track. My personal favorite dmx song. Hypes me up before/during a workout
@wesleyrichardson2953
Facts. I believe she was talking about Foxy B
@tanismariesuze583
We never forget Earl Simmons aka DMX rest in peace best rapper
@jefftheninja1252
One of the best