Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper, songwriter, and actor. His accolades included an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and six Grammy Award nominations. Regarded as an influential figure in the late 1990s and early 2000s and one of the greats of hip-hop, his music is characterized by his "aggressive" rapping style, with lyrical content varying from hardcore themes to prayers. His violent lyricism helped popularize the horrorcore genre.
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DMX was an American rapper and actor who rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, known for his aggressive rapping style that blended hardcore themes with spiritual content and helped popularize the horrorcore genre. His influential contributions to hip-hop earned him multiple award nominations and recognition as one of the genre's greatest artists.
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Person · Open Library
- Born
- 1970-12-18
- Died
- 2021-04-09
- Works
- 3
Top works
- E.A.R.L
- E.A.R.L.
via Open Library + Wikidata
Film & TV
Acting · Mount Vernon, New York, USA
Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 - April 9, 2021), better known by his stage name DMX, was an American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's. To date, his best-selling album is his 1999 album ...And Then There Was X, which featured the hit single "Party Up…
Known for
- In Whose Name? — Self2025
- Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music — Self (archive footage)2025
- A Journey to Sundance — Self2023
- You're Watching Video Music Box — Self (archive footage)2021
- Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage — Self (archive footage)2021
- DMX: Don't Try to Understand — Self2021
Article
34 sectionsContents
- Early life
- Musical career
- 1985–1995: Career beginnings
- 1996–1997: Building hype and signing to Def Jam
- 1998–2000: Debut album and commercial success
- 2001–2004: Return to music
- 2005–2011: ''Year of the Dog... Again'' and ''The Definition of X''
- 2011–2013: ''Undisputed''
- 2013–2021: Def Jam reunion and ''Exodus''
- Personal life
- Religion
- Relationships and children
- Finances and bankruptcies
- Feud with Ja Rule
- Feud with Jay-Z
- Legal issues
- 1986–1988
- 1998–1999
- 2000–2005: Metro NY
- 2007
- 2008–2011: Arizona and California
- 2013: South Carolina
- 2015: New York
- 2017–2019: Tax fraud conviction
- Health problems and death
- Legacy
- Impact
- Discography
- Awards and nominations
- Filmography
- See also
- Notes
- References
- External links
Earl Simmons (December 18, 1970 – April 9, 2021), known professionally as DMX, was an American rapper, songwriter, and actor. His accolades included an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and six Grammy Award nominations. Regarded as an influential figure in the late 1990s and early 2000s and one of the greats of hip-hop, his music is characterized by his "aggressive" rapping style, with lyrical content varying from hardcore themes to prayers. His violent lyricism helped popularize the horrorcore genre.
DMX began rapping in the late 1990s. After an unsuccessful tenure on Columbia Records, he signed with Ruff Ryders Entertainment in a joint venture with Def Jam Recordings to release his debut studio album, ''It's Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), which was met with critical and commercial success—selling 251,000 copies in its first week and spawning the Billboard'' Hot 100-top 20 single, "Ruff Ryders' Anthem". His second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (1998), was followed by his third, (1999), which became his best-selling release and was supported by his second top 40 single, "Party Up (Up in Here)". His fourth album, The Great Depression (2001), was followed by his fifth, Grand Champ (2003), which was led by the single "Where the Hood At?" and included the international bonus track "X Gon' Give It to Ya". DMX became the first artist to have their first five albums consecutively debut atop the Billboard 200, and by his death on April 9, 2021, he had sold over 75 million records worldwide.
Gallery (18)
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1970 births2021 deaths20th-century African-American musicians20th-century American male rappers20th-century American rappers21st-century African-American male rappers21st-century African-American rappers21st-century American male rappers21st-century American rappersAccidental deaths in New York (state)African-American ChristiansAfrican-American male actors