Early Life

DMX was an American rapper who started his career in the early 1990s and released his debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot in 1998 which was a critical and commercial success.

He followed it up with four more albums which also topped the Billboard 200 charts making him one of the first artists to achieve this feat.

DMX was born Earl Simmons on December 18, 1970, in Mount Vernon, New York. He was the son of 19-year-old Arnett Simmons and 18-year-old Joe Barker.

DMX’s childhood was a bitter one. He suffered from physical violence at the hands of his mother and was diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

Growing up, he was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness but he later disassociated himself from the spirituality after he was injured in an accident by a driver.

Also at a young age, DMX’s mother sent him to live with relatives in Yonkers’ School Street housing apartments.

Simmons got expelled from a middle school at the age of ten and was sent to a group home.

The young Simmons returned to Yonkers at age fifteen, sleeping in empty storage bins and befriending stray dogs.

To top it all, he was unable to finish his track and field team schedule due to poor grades.

DMX also robbed several students to find food and clothing for himself.

Music Career

DMX was known for his unique raspy voice, aggressive delivery, and violent lyrics that reflected his personal struggles.

He also incorporated elements of gospel, rock, and pop into his music. He sold over 74 million records worldwide making him one of the best-selling rap artists of his era.

Acting Career

DMX also pursued an acting career and appeared in movies such as Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2, etc.

Personal Struggles

DMX’s personal life was filled with legal troubles, drug addiction, and health issues.

He was arrested multiple times for various offenses including animal cruelty, reckless driving, tax evasion, and drug possession. He became addicted to crack cocaine at the age of 14. While he was in prison, DMX became a born-again Christian.

Family Life

DMX was the father of 15 children from 9 different women. He was once married to his childhood friend Tashera Simmons in 1999. They had four children together before they divorced in 2014.

Death

DMX passed away in 2021 at the age of 50.