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".
What These Bitches Want
DMX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, what these bitches want from a nigga?
Dru Hill, you know what I'm sayin'?
What these bitches want from a nigga?
Hmm (Ruff Ryders), DMX break 'em off
What these bitches want from a nigga?
Break 'em off a lil' somethin'
(And oh yeah by the way, it's the entity)
Ay yo, dawg, I meet bitches, discrete bitches
Street bitches, slash, Cocoa Puff sweet bitches (what?)
Make you wanna eat bitches, but not me
Y'all niggas eat off the plate all you want but not D (uh)
I fucks with these hoes from a distance
The instant they start to catch feelings
I start to stealin' they shit
Then I'm out just like a thief in the night
I sink my teeth in to bite
You thinkin' life, I'm thinkin' more like, what's up tonight?
Come on ma, you know I got a wife
And even though that pussy tight I'm not gon' jeopardize my life (aight?)
So what is it you want from a nigga? (What?)
I gave you, you gave me, bitch, I blazed you, you blazed me (c'mon)
Nothin' more, nothin' less but you at my door (yeah, yeah)
Willin' to confess that it's the best you ever tested (aight)
Better than all the rest, I'm like, "Aight girlfriend, hold up (tell me)
I gave you, what you gave me Boo, a nut" (fo' real)
What these bitches want from a nigga? What you want? (What you want?)
What these bitches want from a nigga? Really want
What these bitches want from a nigga? (Yeah)
Shawty I keep you up on it (yeah)
Bling blingin', all that jewelry, girl I bought it (ay yo)
What these bitches want from a nigga?
Tell me what you want from me
Baby, tell me what you want from me (so what you want?)
There was Brenda, LaTisha (uh), Linda, Felicia (okay)
Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Alicia (ooh)
Theresa, Monica, Sharron, Nicki (uh-huh)
Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vicky (damn)
Cookies, well I met her in a ice cream parlor (aight?)
Tonya, Dianne, Lori and Carla (okay)
Marina (uh) Selena (uh) Katrina (uh) Sabrina (uh)
About three Kim's (what?) Latoya, and Tina (woo)
Shelley, Bridget, Cathy, Rasheeda (uh-huh)
Kelly, Nicole, Angel, Juanita (damn)
Stacy, Tracy, Rohna, and Ronda (what?)
Donna, Yolanda (what?) Tawana, and Wanda (what?)
Were all treated fairly but yet and still
Bitches is on some other shit now that I'm fuckin' with Dru Hill
But I'ma keep it real (what?)
What the fuck you want from a nigga? (C'mon)
What the fuck you want from a nigga? (C'mon)
What these bitches want from a nigga? Really want (yeah baby)
(Tell me what you want from me)
What these bitches want from a nigga? Really want (ooh)
What these bitches want from a nigga?
'Cause I'm keepin' you up on it
Bling blingin', all that jewelry, girl I bought it (ay yo)
What these bitches want from a nigga?
Tell me what you want from me
Baby, tell me what you want (so what you want?)
(Oh, what do you want?)
Ay yo, I think about when a nigga didn't have (yeah)
And a nigga told a joke, and the bitches didn't laugh (yeah)
Well see now I do the math, I see if you got this (uh-huh)
And this and this to some cats, that nigga's the shit (aight?)
And that's all they fuckin' with, but see these bitches don't know (uh)
If these bitches ain't for real (uh-huh), these bitches don't go (uh)
Knock on door, no show, I'm sleep tryin' to creep
Wit yo' best friend, put it in, dig deep (X let me talk to 'em for a minute, yeah)
Oh I know I know it's so hard to be
(What these bitches want from a nigga?)
A victim of my reality
(What these bitches want from a nigga?)
Heard you callin' me names (alright), said I was trife
(What these bitches want from a nigga?) Yeah, yeah
One thing you gotta know, I'ma be a nigga for life, yeah
What these bitches want from a nigga? What you want?
What these bitches want from a nigga? Really want
What these bitches want from a nigga?
Shawty I keep you up on it
Bling blingin', all that jewelry, girl I bought it (ay yo)
What these bitches want from a nigga?
Tell me what you want from me
Baby, tell me what you want (what you want?)
What these bitches want from a nigga? What you want?
What these bitches want from a nigga? Really want
What these bitches want from a nigga? (Yes you do, yes you do)
Shawty I keep you up on it (what you want from me?)
Bling blingin', all that jewelry, girl I bought it (ay yo)
What these bitches want from a nigga? (Come on)
Tell me what you want from me
Baby, tell me what you want (what you want?)
DMX's "What These Bitches Want" is a song that addresses the singer's confusion towards the multitudes of women he encounters in his life. The song has a chorus that echoes throughout the song that asks a simple question, "What these bitches want from a nigga?" DMX expresses his frustration towards women who become too attached and clingy to men, despite them being in a committed relationship or not interested in pursuing anything serious. He admits that he only indulges in sexual encounters with these women, but he never lets them become emotionally attached. However, he does acknowledge that he has become attached to women before and has felt the consequences of his actions. In the end, he just wants to know what each woman's motives are and what they expect from him.
The lyrics are straightforward but highlight common themes that are relevant to many individuals. Essentially, the song speaks about the struggles and complications of casual relationships and the difficulties of trying to meet the expectations of others while dealing with one's own desires. The song also incorporates a myriad of women's names, which is interesting as it highlights the prevalence of women in DMX's life and perhaps the multitude of women in his world at the time he wrote the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, what these bitches want from a nigga?
DMX is questioning what do the women around him truly desire from him
Ay yo, dawg, I meet bitches, discrete bitches, street bitches, slash, Cocoa Puff sweet bitches (what?) Make you wanna eat bitches, but not me
DMX explains that he has encountered all kinds of women, but he would never fall for any of them
I fucks with these hoes from a distance, the instant they start to catch feelings, I start to stealin' they shit, then I'm out just like a thief in the night, I sink my teeth in to bite
DMX likes to keep a safe distance from women who start to get attached, as it gives him an opportunity to take advantage of them and move on without any commitment
So what is it you want from a nigga? (What?) I gave you, you gave me, bitch, I blazed you, you blazed me (c'mon) Nothin' more, nothin' less but you at my door (yeah, yeah) Willin' to confess that it's the best you ever tested (aight) Better than all the rest, I'm like, "Aight girlfriend, hold up (tell me) I gave you, what you gave me Boo, a nut" (fo' real)
DMX has been intimate with many women, but he only wants them for sex and nothing more. If they dare ask for more than that, he reminds them that they too have received a good time with no strings attached
There was Brenda, LaTisha (uh), Linda, Felicia (okay) Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Alicia (ooh) Theresa, Monica, Sharron, Nicki (uh-huh) Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vicky (damn) Cookies, well I met her in a ice cream parlor (aight?) Tonya, Dianne, Lori and Carla (okay) Marina (uh) Selena (uh) Katrina (uh) Sabrina (uh) About three Kim's (what?) Latoya, and Tina (woo) Shelley, Bridget, Cathy, Rasheeda (uh-huh) Kelly, Nicole, Angel, Juanita (damn) Stacy, Tracy, Rohna, and Ronda (what?) Donna, Yolanda (what?) Tawana, and Wanda (what?) Were all treated fairly but yet and still Bitches is on some other shit now that I'm fuckin' with Dru Hill
DMX has been with many women with different names, and he thinks they were all treated equally, yet he believes these women are now acting differently towards him since he is associated with the music group Dru Hill
Ay yo, I think about when a nigga didn't have (yeah) And a nigga told a joke, and the bitches didn't laugh (yeah) Well see now I do the math, I see if you got this (uh-huh) And this and this to some cats, that nigga's the shit (aight?) And that's all they fuckin' with, but see these bitches don't know (uh) If these bitches ain't for real (uh-huh), these bitches don't go (uh) Knock on door, no show, I'm sleep tryin' to creep Wit yo' best friend, put it in, dig deep (X let me talk to 'em for a minute, yeah) Oh I know I know it's so hard to be
DMX recalls a time when he did not have much and women around him did not find him attractive. However, he now realizes that many women are more interested in men with status or wealth, and they tend to be fake or unfaithful. He also warns that he might go after a woman's close friend if she is not for real
Heard you callin' me names (alright), said I was trife (What these bitches want from a nigga?) Yeah, yeah One thing you gotta know, I'ma be a nigga for life, yeah
DMX acknowledges that some women have criticized or betrayed him in the past but he adds that he cannot change who he is, and he won't stop being himself to satisfy anyone else's expectations
Shawty I keep you up on it, Bling blingin', all that jewelry, girl I bought it (ay yo) What these bitches want from a nigga? (Come on)
DMX boasts that he can provide women with material things like expensive jewelry if they want it, but he still struggles to understand what other value or satisfaction they expect from him
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Andrews, Tamir Ruffin, Earl Simmons, Phillip Witherspoon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind