DMX Biography

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Earl Simmons (born December 18, 1970), better known by his stage name DMX (also known as Dark Man X, Dog Man X, and Divine Master of the Unknown) is a multi-Platinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame around 1997. His stage name was originally an acronym of "Divine Master of the Unknown", but also pays tribute to an instrument he used in the 1980s, the Oberheim DMX drum machine[citation needed] In 1999, DMX released his best-selling album ...And Then There Was X, which featured the hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)". He has acted in films such as Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 The Grave, and Last Hour. In 2006, he starred in the reality television series DMX: Soul of a Man, which was primarily aired on the BET cable television network. In 2003, DMX published a book of his memoirs entitled, E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.

DMX was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Joe Barker and Arnett Simmons (who became pregnant with him when she was nineteen years of age). He was the second child born; his mother had a two year old daughter from a previous relationship.[citation needed] He was raised in the Christian denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses. He left Baltimore at an early age due to involvement with the wrong crowd and relocated with his family to neighboring suburb Yonkers, New York. As a youth, he committed crimes such as robbery and much of his adolescence in and out of juvenile detention and youth group homes. Throughout this period, DMX viewed hip-hop as an escape from his troubles; he enjoyed beatboxing, turntablism, and eventually, rapping. DMX also went to school with Jay Z, Busta Rhymes, and Biggie Smalls.

DMX began to beatbox with Ready Ron in 1984.[citation needed] Gabriel Grevenstuk from The Source magazine praised him in his 1991 "Unsigned Hype" column, which highlighted unsigned hip-hop artists. A year later, Columbia Records signed DMX to their subsidiary label Ruffhouse, who released his debut single "Born Loser". The single did not get much air play.[citation needed] The label eventually agreed to release DMX from their contract. He released his second single, "Make a Move" in 1994, and made a guest appearance on LL Cool J's single "4, 3, 2, 1" in 1997. Additional guest spots on Mase singles "24 Hours to Live" and "Take What's Yours", and The LOX's single "Money, Power & Respect" created a strong buzz. DMX also made a cameo appearance in the Sum 41 music video for "Makes No Difference".

In February 1998, DMX released his debut major-label single, "Get At Me Dogg", on Def Jam Recordings. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA. His first major-label album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which included the single "Ruff Ryders Anthem", was released in May 1998. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S and sold over five million copies.

Later that year in December, DMX released his second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. Within one week of the album's release, 670,000 units were shipped.[citation needed] It was eventually certified Platinum four times. As a result, DMX was the second rapper in history (following Tupac Shakur) to have released two albums in the same year, which both debuted at number one on Billboard 200.. This earned DMX numerous comparisons to Tupac.[by whom?]

DMX released his third and best-selling album (as of January 2012), ...And Then There Was X, on December 21, 1999. It was his third album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Its most popular single, "Party Up", became his first Top Ten hit on the R&B charts. Singles "What's My Name?" and "What These Bitches Want" were also popular.[citation needed] The album was certified Platinum six times.

After improving his legal situation,[citation needed] DMX returned to the studio to complete his fourth album, The Great Depression. Released October 23, 2001, it was his fourth album to debut at the top of the Billboard 200, featuring the singles "Who We Be", "We Right Here", and "Shorty Was The Bomb". Despite the album's triple Platinum certification, its commercial and critical success was lower than his previous album.

His fifth album, "Grand Champ", once again debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 charts, placing DMX as the only musical artist in history to release five consecutive albums (his entire album catalog at the time) that debuted at number one. Singles include "Where Tha Hood At" and "Get it on the Floor". After its release, he informed the public that he planned to retire, and that Grand Champ would be his final album.

DMX signed to Columbia Records in January 2006. He recorded what would be his next album, Year of the Dog...Again, while switching record labels, which caused numerous delays. It was finally released on August 1, 2006, and lost the number one Billboard spot by only one-hundred sales.[citation needed] He released two more singles, "Lord Give Me A Sign" and "We In Here"

On June 12, 2007, DMX released a compilation of his greatest hits, The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter. Def Jam released another compilation album, The Best of DMX, in 2011. which features hit singles including "Where the Hood At?" and "X Gon' Give It to Ya".

On October 11, 2011 DMX performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards. He stated that he has been working "nonstop, every day" on the new album, and plans to release it before December of 2012. During a performance at New York's Santos Party House on December 25, 2011, DMX stated that the new album will be entitled Undisputed and would be released on March 26, 2012. This was later confirmed by DMX (via his official Twitter account, DMX (rapper) on Twitter), where he also confirmed that its first single is scheduled for release in January 2012. A video for a new track entitled "Last Hope" was released via Internet on September 24, 2011. DMX has not confirmed whether the track will appear on his upcoming album. Seven Arts Entertaiment Inc. recently purchased David Michery's music assets, which included some of DMX's music. DMX's had announced that Undisputed will be released on March 27th, 2012.

DMX is the father of one child, King Coy Deel of Richmond Virginia who resides with his ex-wife, Tashera Simmons. He and Tashera married in 1999 and were married for eleven years. In July 2010, Tashera announced their separation (just two weeks following DMX's release from prison).

DMX had multiple extramarital affairs during his marriage to Tashera, some of which produced children. DNA testing confirmed that he is the father of at least two of these children; the first was born to Maryland resident Monique Wayne in 2004, the second was born to a different woman in late 2008. DMX and Wayne fought over her claim that he was the father of her son for years, during which she has sued him repeatedly for defamation of character, and for child support. After DNA testing proved DMX fathered Wayne's son in 2007, he was ordered to pay her $1.5 Million

Although DMX shares the Simmons surname with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons (co-founder of Def Jam Recordings), they are not related.

In 2009, DMX claimed he would pursue preaching in Jersey City, NJ but will also continue to produce music. He completed a Gospel album prior to his incarceration. According to MTV, he has semi-retired to study the Bible more in an effort to give messages behind the pulpit.

Since becoming a public figure, DMX's multiple arrests have been for offenses including: Animal cruelty, reckless driving, unlicensed driving, drug possession, and identity falsification.

1998 - 1999

2000 - 2005

2008 - 2011

DMX, Ja Rule, and Jay-Z were friends, recording music together as a rap group called Murder Inc.. (The name was later[when?] used by Ja's producer, Irv Gotti, for his record label.)[citation needed] DMX and Jay-Z guest-starred on the single "It's Murda" from Ja Rule's first album. Ja Rule had previously feuded with Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent; all of which had been resolved or faded from significance. DMX accused Ja Rule of releasing records on which Ja Rule copied DMX's signature "gruff style". Four years after, the two rappers waged a war of words. DMX admitted that he initially wanted the feud when he was released from jail in 2005, before making peace: "Gotti came to me in jail and said I want to make peace with you and him", said DMX, "I was like, 'Alright Gotti, lets do it." DMX and Ja Rule finally ended their feud at VH1's 2009 Hip Hop Honors.