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 'Bout To Blow
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Yeah
Def Jam, yeah (come on)
Ruff Ryders, yeah (come on)
Def Jam, yeah (come on)
Ruff Ryders, yeah (come on)
Def Jam, yeah (come on)
Ruff Ryders, yeah (come on)
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
I'm just gonna stick to the script 'cause you know how that shit go
Quick to the flip dog, kitten don't let go
Get that shit yo, wrong or right me
Dog for life and its on tonight
Why y'all niggas make money, money, money
My niggas take money, money, money
Bloodline, get down 'cause I love mine
I can put my life on the line at least one time
Cats don't know nothing, but show frontin'
I'm a pump pump it up like Joe Budden
Dark man, bang your head with the walk man
Tryna holla at shorty, you still tryna talk man
Sometimes niggas is worse than the bitches
So I'm a holla at you, but first with the stitches
Cats don't know who you fucking with
'Til you fucking with X and you stuck in shit
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
Yo grease I need this beat, no disrespect
I just got some shit I need to get off my chest
Look around and I see the rap game is a mess
So many chromes, now they getting me vexed
Upset and insane in how the game gonna change shit
Sounding the same, and it's a ma fucking shame
While lames think they flow so sick, getting excited
Yeah they got a sick flow, its called the "young hoe virus"
But, let me fall back into character
Be got so hot, never been an amateur
Ask the locals, boy its loco
Never stop my flow, want to go pro, you know
Check the history, started with the are's
Now I'm running with the line, four time, no mystery
Dog, tryna position me to get in the door
But since the door don't open wide enough, we rippin' it off
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
Dog, gonna be dog, that's how I get down
Step up, nigga, sit down, put your shit down (aight!)
Clowns ain't even built for the circus, I'm about to pop this nigga
(Dog, it ain't worth it)
Tah, yeah you right, soon as your man make it dead at night
I'll be there, aight? (Then what?)
Everything stops, money turns on the light, and pa pop pop pop
None stop shots ringing out, cowards hit the ground
I came to get down if you came to get down
Blow the pound up, niggas want to what with us
Bloodline and the dog I trust, so for the dog I bust
That thang, catch me while I'm up in the truck with that thang
Dog get the word, it's a must that I bang
And trust me, I'm gonna do my motherfuckin' thang
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
Bloodline, we 'bout to blow (what)
Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow (what)
Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow (what)
Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know
Yeah
Come on man, ya niggas don't know what the fuck this shit is
Gutter
The song "We 'Bout To Blow" by DMX is a boastful anthem about his crew, Bloodline, and their impending success in the rap game. DMX flexes his lyrical abilities and loyalty to his team, Ruff Ryders, as he proclaims that their enemies and haters are clueless about their rise to the top. He rhymes about sticking to the script and riding for his brothers, with lines like, "Cat don't know nothing, but show frontin' / I'm a pump pump it up like Joe Budden."
DMX also takes aim at the current state of hip-hop, criticizing rappers who sound the same and calling out the "young hoe virus." He asserts his own uniqueness and staying power in the game, saying, "Dog, tryna position me to get in the door / But since the door don't open wide enough, we rippin' it off."
The chorus repeats the refrain, "Bloodline, we 'bout to blow / Ruff Ryders, we 'bout to blow / Vacant lot, we 'bout to blow / Man, bitch ass niggas just don't know," with each line representing a different crew associated with DMX. The song's intense energy and aggressive delivery match its themes of domination and ambition.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damon J. Blackmon, Dennis Joyner, Earl Simmons, Clarence Henry Reid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind