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
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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, some
Ay yo! Dog, I meet bitches, discrete bitches
Street bitches, slash, Cocoa Puff sweet bitches (what?)
Y'all niggas eat off the plate all you want but not D (uh)
I fuck 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, whats 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
Willin' to confess that it's the best you ever tested
Better than all the rest, I'm like, "Aight girlfriend, hold up
I gave you, what you gave me Boo, a nut (f'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?
I've been keepin' you up on it
Bling bling'n, on that jewelry girl I bought it,
Ay yo, tell me what you want from me
Baby tell me what you want from me! (what you want?)
There was Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia (okay)
Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Alicia (ooh)
Teresa, Monica, Sharron, Nicki (uh-huh)
Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vicky (damn)
Cookies, well I met her in a ice cream parlor (aight?)
Tonya, Diane, Lori and Carla (okay)
Marina (uh) Selena (uh) Katrina (uh) Sabrina (uh)
About three Kim's (what?) LaToya, and Tina (WHOO!)
Shelley, Bridget, Cavi, Rasheeda (uh-huh)
Kelly, Nicole, Angel, Juanita (damn!)
Stacy, Tracie, Rohna, and Ronda (what?)
Donna, Ulanda (what?) Tawana, and Wanda (what?)
Were all treated fairly but yet and still
Bitches is on some other shit now that I'm fuckin' wit 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
What these bitches want from a nigga? Really want
What these bitches want from a nigga?
I've been keepin' you up on it
Bling blingin', on that jewelry girl I bought it,
Ay yo, tell me what you want from me
Baby tell me what you want from me! (what 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
See now I do the math, I see if you got this
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
If these bitches ain't for real, these bitches don't go
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)
Oh I know I know it's so hard to be, a victim of my reality
Heard you callin' me names, said I was trife
One thing you gotta know, I'ma be a nigga for life yeah!
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?
I've been keepin' you up on it
Bling blingin', on that jewelry girl I bought it
Ayo, tell me what you want from me
Baby tell me what you want from me! (what you want?)
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?
I've been keepin you up on it
Bling bling'n, on that jewelry girl I bought it
What these bitches want from a nigga?
Ay yo, tell me what you want from me
Baby tell me what you want from me! (So what you want?)
In this song, DMX is addressing the women who have been in his life and asking them a simple question - what do they want from him? He mentions different types of women he has encountered, from street girls to high-class ladies, and talks about how he doesn't become emotionally attached to any of them. In fact, he steals from them before leaving. DMX is clear that he is committed to his wife and won't risk his family for anyone else, even if the sex is great. He then starts listing the different women in his life, almost like a roll call, calling out their names one by one, creating this feeling of familiarity with the audience. Towards the end of the song, the R&B group Dru Hill takes over the chorus, still asking the same question: What do these women want from a man like DMX?
The song is more than just an ode to the women in DMX's past. It's a warning to men who might find themselves being used by these women. DMX does not sugarcoat anything, and his rawness is almost like a breath of fresh air. The song is about power dynamics, the complications of sexual relationships and the dangers of giving too much of yourself. It speaks to the idea of never knowing people's true intentions and the lengths others will go to just to get what they want.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, what these bitches want from a nigga?
DMX is questioning what women really want from him.
I fuck with these hoes from a distance
DMX doesn't get too close to these women and starts stealing from them when they catch feelings for him.
And even though that pussy tight I'm not gon' jeopardize my life (aight?)
So what is it you want from a nigga? (what?)
DMX is not willing to risk his life for any woman just because they have good sex. He questions what they really want from him.
I gave you, you gave me, bitch, I blazed you, you blazed me (c'mon)
Nothin' more, nothin' less, but you at my door
Willin' to confess that it's the best you ever tested
DMX wants a purely sexual relationship with these women and feels like they should feel the same. However, they always want more from him.
What these bitches want from a nigga? Really want
DMX is still questioning what the women really want from him. He thinks they don't even know themselves.
There was Brenda, LaTisha, Linda, Felicia (okay)
Dawn, LeShaun, Ines, and Alicia (ooh)
Teresa, Monica, Sharron, Nicki (uh-huh)
Lisa, Veronica, Karen, Vicky (damn)
DMX lists the many women that he has been with, trying to show the listener how many different types of women he has encountered.
Bitches is on some other shit now that I'm fuckin' wit Dru Hill
DMX's relationships with women changed after he started collaborating with the R&B group, Dru Hill. The women now want more from him.
Ayo, tell me what you want from me
DMX is still trying to understand what these women really want from him.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mark Andrews, Tamir Ruffin, Earl Simmons, Phillip Witherspoon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind