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DMX Information
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'Earl Simmons' (born December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland), also known as 'Dark Man X', 'The Divine Master of the Unknown', or simply 'DMX', is an African-American rapper/hip hop performer and actor, who was most famous in the late-1990s. His dark, gothic subject matter, usually depicting a tortured soul torn between the sacred and the profane; and his gruff, barked rhymes were acclaimed by fans and critics alike.
Biography
Recording Career
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
The only child of a single mother, Simmons grew up in the inner city of Yonkers, New York. He began pursuing a career in hip-hop in the early 1990s, a 1994 deal with Columbia Records fell through. In the late 1990s, he joined the Ruff Ryders Entertainment management company, who arranged a deal with Def Jam for Simmons. DMX's debut single was "Get at Me Dog", an instant hit. His critically-acclaimed debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, is considered a classic hip-hop album, and is often credited with revitalizing Hardcore Rap in the mainstream scene, after the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., and after Puff Daddy and Bad Boy Entertainment briefly dominated the charts with their pop-orientated and sample-reliant tunes. In 1997, he earned a second major-label shot with Def Jam, and made a successful guest appearance on LL Cool J's "4, 3, 2, 1." More guest spots on Mase's "24 Hours to Live" and fellow Yonkers MCs 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 first full-length album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which debuted as number one on the pop charts. It was also number one on many other charts . Produced mostly by Swizz Beatz, who became known because of it, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot earned DMX numerous comparisons to Tupac Shakur for his booming and aggressive presence on the mic, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot sold over four million copies. 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 in in Hype Williams' ambitious but unsuccessful Belly. It's Dark and Hell Is Hot entered the charts at #1 in 1998.
Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
DMX completed his second before the end of 1998, and a pending buyout of Def Jam pushed the record into stores that December. Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood featured a controversial cover photo of the rapper covered in blood, and it entered the charts at number one and eventually went triple platinum. DMX hit the road with Jay-Z and the Method Man/Redman team on the blockbuster Hard Knock Life tour the following year. A warrant for his arrest was issued in connection with a stabbing during a tour stop in Denver, of which he was later cleared; He was accused of assaulting a Yonkers man who'd allegedly harassed his wife in May(the charges were once again dropped). More serious charges were brought that summer, when DMX's uncle/manager was accidentally shot in the foot at a New Jersey hotel. DMX's home was raided by Police, and filed animal cruelty, weapons, and drug possession charges against the rapper and his wife; he eventually plea-bargained down to fines, probation, and community service.
...And Then There Was X
DMX released his third album toward the end of 1999, ...And Then There Was X, which was his third straight album to debut at number one. "Party Up (Up in Here)" 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 You Want" and "What's My Name?" were also popular, and ...And Then There Was X was the rapper's best-selling album to date as a result, moving over five million copies.
The Great Depression
After finally resolving his legal problems, DMX returned to the studio and completed his fourth album, the more introspective The Great Depression. It was his fourth straight album to debut at number one, released in the fall of 2001. It went platinum quickly but it didn't have the same shelf life as his previous releases.
Grand Champ
It's a well-crafted and thought-out album but feels like a sequel, and as such, it serves its purpose: to satisfy fans and move units. The anthemic lead single, "Where the Hood At," is precisely modeled after previous DMX rallying calls like "Ruff Ryders Anthem," "What's My Name?," and "Who We Be." Likewise, "Get It on the Floor" is a trademark Swizz Beatz club-banger ” and a remarkable one at that, perhaps one-upping even "Party Up (Up in Here).". Don't Gotta Go Home" is a duet with Monica that's prime urban crossover material; "A'Yo Kato" is a heartfelt ode to a lost dog with a Latin sounding beat by Swizz Beatz; and "Thank You" is a rousing gospel-rap tune featuring Patti LaBelle that's surprisingly effective. These tracks close the album sentimentaly.
Acting career
He made his film debut in Belly, which he co-starred in with fellow rappers Method Man and Nas. DMX returned to the big screen with a major supporting role with Aaliyah and Jet Li in Romeo Must Die. After DMX's release from jail, he starred in the Steven Seagal action film Exit Wounds, which opened at number one at the box office. DMX contributed the hit single "No Sunshine" to the soundtrack. He signed a multipicture deal with Warner Bros. in the wake of Exit Wounds' success. DMX worked with Jet Li again in Cradle 2 the Grave. It opened at number one upon its release in March 2003, and its DMX-heavy soundtrack debuted in the Top Ten. DMX also starred in Never Die Alone, which was was based on street novelest Donald Goines book.
G-Unit Records
In recent months there has been speculation, that 50 Cent may be signing DMX to G-Unit Records, another reason for this speculation is because Mase Betha, another artist signed to G-Unit Records, has helped convince his longtime friend to unretire from the rap industry, as he has done so recently.
Criminal history
DMX also has a criminal history originating with an arrest in 1999 in Teaneck, New Jersey, when police found a pistol, crack pipes and 13 pit bulls on the premises of his home. He pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia, and was sentenced to make public service announcements for the Humane Society.
In June of 2004, DMX and a friend were arrested in the parking lot of Kennedy Airport in New York for allegedly attempting to steal a car and impersonating a federal agent. DMX was taken to central lockup in Queens and held on charges of attempted robbery, criminal impersonation and criminal mischief. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in December and was sentenced to a conditional discharge. His driver's license was suspended for the incident and he had to forfeit his 1998 Ford Expedition.
In April of 2005, DMX was arrested in The Bronx for driving with a suspended license after his car crashed into a police cruiser.
In October of 2005, DMX was sentenced to 60 days in prison after pleading guilty to two traffic violations while his license was suspended, one being the incident in April and the other involving driving his car at 104 mph near his Westchester home.
DMX will have to serve 70 days behind bars for violating his release conditions following a 2004 arrest after he pretended to be a federal agent and attempted to steal a car. DMX was immediately taken to Rikers Island. With good behavior, the jail term could be reduced to 46 days.
Samples
* Download sample of "Dogs for Life" from 1998's Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood
Discography
Albums
* 1998: It's Dark and Hell Is Hot 4x Platinum, '#1' US
* 1998: Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood 3x Platinum, '#1' US
* 1999: ...And Then There Was X 6x Platinum, '#1' US
* 2001: The Great Depression 2x Platinum, '#1' US
* 2003: Grand Champ Platinum, '#1' US
* 2005: Here We Go Again
Singles
*1992: "Born Loser" (12" Single)
*1997: "4,3,2,1" (LL Cool J featuring Method Man, Redman, DMX, Canibus, & Master P) #75 US
*1998: "Nothin' Move But The Money" (Mic Geronimo featuring DMX & Black Rob) #70 US
*1998: "Get At Me Dog" (featuring Sheek of The L.O.X.) #39 US
*1998: "Money, Power & Respect" (The L.O.X. featuring DMX & Lil' Kim) #17 US
*1998: "Stop Being Greedy" #79 US
*1998: "How's It Goin' Down" (featuring Faith Evans) #70 US
*1999: "Ruff Ryder's Anthem" #94 US
*2000: "What's My Name" #67 US
*2000: "Party Up (Up In Here)" #27 US
*2000: "What These Bitches Want" (edited version titled "What They Want", featuring Sisqó) #49 US
*2000: "Do You" (Funkmaster Flex featuring DMX) #91 US
*2001: "No Sunshine" Exit Wounds: The Album (soundtrack, track 1)
*2001: "Who We Be" #60 US
*2002: "I Miss You" (featuring Faith Evans) #86 US
*2003: "X Gon' Give It To Ya" #60 US
*2003: "Where The Hood At?" #68 US
*2005: "Pump Ya Fist"
*2005: "Give Em What They Want"
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