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DMX

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DMX

Earl Simmons (born December 18, 1970), better known by his stage name DMX, is 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 (Up in Here)". In 2002, DMX wrote an autobiographical book titled E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.

Music career

In 1991, Gabriel Grevenstuk from The Source magazine praised him in its "Unsigned Hype" column, which highlighted unsigned hip-hop artists. Later, he was signed to the Columbia Records subsidiary Ruffhouse in 1992; under that label he released his debut single "Born Loser", which did not get much airplay. However, Ruffhouse promoted many other artists on its roster rather than DMX and so agreed to release him from his contract eventually. In 1994, he released a second single, "Make a Move". In 1997, he made a successful guest appearance on LL Cool J's "4, 3, 2, 1". Additional guest spots on Mase's "24 Hours to Live" and "Take What's Yours", and The LOX's "Money, Power & Respect" created an even stronger buzz.[2] DMX also made a cameo appearance in the Sum 41 music video for "Makes No Difference".[3]

In February 1998, he released his debut major-label single under Def Jam Recordings, "Get At Me Dog", which 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 and debuted on the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S. It earned Simmons numerous comparisons to Tupac Shakur and sold over four million copies. Soon after the release of the album, DMX was nearly imprisoned for allegedly raping a stripper in the Bronx but was cleared by DNA evidence.[2] Later that year in December, DMX released his second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood. It entered the charts at number one (and stayed there for 3 consecutive weeks) with 670,000 units shipped in the first week alone. The album eventually went 4x platinum. DMX was the second rapper to have two albums released in the same year debut at number one on Billboard's Top 200, the first being Tupac Shakur.[2]

Simmons released his third album, ...And Then There Was X, on December 21, 1999. It debuted at number one on the pop charts, his third straight album to do so. "Party Up" was his biggest single, and became his first Top Ten hit on the R&B charts. His lead single off the album, "What's My Name?" (containing the piano prelude from Richard Addinsell's Warsaw Concerto), and third single "What These Bitches Want" (featuring Sisqo) were also popular. .....And Then There Was X is Simmons' best-selling album to date, going six times platinum.[2]

After improving his legal situation, Simmons returned to the studio and completed his fourth album, The Great Depression. Released October 3, 2001, it was his fourth straight album to debut at the top of the Billboard 200. With hits such as "Who We Be", "We Right Here", and the street track, "Shorty Was The Bomb". The Great Depression quickly went triple platinum, but was not as commercially or critically successful as his previous album.[2]

In 2004, Grand Champ became DMX's fifth straight album to debut at number one. This made DMX the only artist in history to have 5 albums (and his entire album catalog) debut at #1 with hits "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.[4] In June 2003, DMX was arrested for using indecent language during a performance at Saint Kitts and Nevis. The country's Information Minister alleged that a contract signed before the concert stipulated the show would be without indecent language on stage. Simmons was released on bail ($376).[5]

In January 2006, DMX signed to Columbia Records, the label that released his early single "Born Loser".[6] DMX recorded his next album while switching record labels, causing numerous delays. The album was finally released on August 1, 2006, under the title Year of the Dog...Again. It missed the number one spot in the charts by only one hundred sales. He also appeared on a remix of Busta Rhymes' "Touch It". Two more singles, "Lord Give Me A Sign" and "We In Here", followed. The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter was DMX's greatest hits album, released on June 12, 2007.[2] Def Jam also released a new compilation album entitled The Best of DMX [7][8] which features hit singles including "Where the Hood At?" and "X Gon' Give It to Ya".

DMX signed to Bodog Music in 2007 to release his seventh and eighth studio albums on the same day, Walk with Me Now and You'll Fly with Me Later.[9] X is planning to release both albums back-to-back. In an Interview DMX Said He has 3 albums done. A hip hop Album, a gospel album and a rock album. Summer 2011 DMX plans to drop the ninth studio album. DMX also said the album's name was "X Is Back" or "The Under Dog" however, now Its called The Undisputed Champ.

Acting career

He first starred in the 1998 movie Belly. He has starred in Never Die Alone, which was based on street novelist Donald Goines' book. He is also set to star in three upcoming films. He was set to star in Marble City, but was replaced by Ving Rhames.[10] He starred in Carnivorous in 2009, starred in an action thriller called Last Hour which was released at the end of 2008. Another movie he starred in was Romeo Must Die co-starring next to Jet Li & Aaliyah. He also had a reality show on BET called DMX: Soul of a Man. He will also star in the 2009 Beast, the true sequel to Belly. He has finished shooting an upcoming film with Kris Kristofferson titled Lords of the Street, the release date has yet to be set. He can be seen starring alongside Clifton Powell & Vivica A. Fox in a film titled Father of Lies. In 2003 he starred in a movie called Cradle 2 the Grave, as a criminal father trying to save his daughter. In 2001 he starred in Exit Wounds as a thug Latrell Walker who uncovered a team of crooked cops along with Steven Seagal who was transferred to the roughest division in Detroit, division 15. For that movie DMX also covered the song Ain't No Sunshine under the title "No Sunshine".[11] The song was released as a single and peaked at #67 on the US R&B Charts. A music video was produced featuring DMX performing the song against clips from the film.

Personal life

DMX was born in Mount Vernon, New York, a city just north of New York City. He was the only child of Joe Barker and Arnett Simmons. DMX's mother was pregnant with him when she was 19 and had a daughter two years previous with another man.[1] He was raised in the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses.[12] He relocated early in his childhood to neighboring Yonkers. He spent much time on the streets committing crimes. However, he considered hip hop to be an escape from his hard times, as he enjoyed beatboxing, turntablism, and eventually rapping. He spent much of his adolescence in and out of jail.[2]

Since 1999, DMX has been married to Tashera Simmons.[13] They have four children together.[14][15] On July 22, 2010, Tashera Simmons said she was separating from DMX after 11 years of marriage, just 2 weeks after he was released from jail. DMX currently has 8 children, 4 of whom with Ex-wife Tashera Simmons and one with model Alli DiMartino.[16]

Maryland resident Monique Wayne claims her son's father is DMX.[17][18][19][20] She has sued him repeatedly for defamation of character[21] and child support. A final outcome is still pending.

Feuds

Ja Rule

DMX started off as friends with Ja Rule, as well as Jay-Z. They were all part of a group at the time named Murder Inc. Records. (The name was later used by Ja's producer Irv Gotti for his record label.) They recorded songs under the name together. DMX and Jay-Z also guest starred on Ja Rule's first album on the track "It's Murda". Eventually Ja Rule's feuds with Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, and Eminem went away. DMX and Ja Rule also recently ended their feud at VH1's 2009 Hip Hop Honors.[22]

Criminal record

In 1999, DMX joined rappers Jay-Z, Method Man, and Redman for Jay-Z's Hard Knock Life tour. DMX was arrested on, but later cleared of, charges of a stabbing at a tour stop in Boston, Massachusetts; he was also cleared of an assault charge in his hometown of Yonkers. However, in the summer of 1999, DMX and his wife were arrested and charged with animal cruelty and possession of drugs and weapons after his manager-uncle was accidentally shot at a hotel in New Jersey.[citation needed] Eventually, DMX successfully plea-bargained his sentence down to fines, probation, and community service. He was arrested again in March 2000 for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, failure to signal, driving without a license, failure to notify the DMV of an address change, and possession of marijuana on New York State Route 33 in Cheektowaga, New York, following a concert in Buffalo, New York. His failure to appear at his subsequent court date in Cheektowaga on March 21 led to the issue of a warrant for his arrest. He later turned himself in, plead guilty to a reduced charge of driving without a license, and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined $400. Since beginning his life as a public figure, DMX's multiple arrests have been for offenses including: animal cruelty,[23] reckless driving,[24] unlicensed driving, drug possession,[25] and identity falsification.[26] In 1999, when officers of the Fort Lee Police Department executed a search of his home, DMX promptly surrendered himself on weapons charges.[27] He has served some jail time—a 15-day sentence in 2000 for possession of marijuana[28] and another in 2001 for driving without a license and possession of marijuana. His appeal to reduce the 2001 sentence was denied; rather, he was charged with assault for allegedly throwing objects at prison guards. DMX entered rehab to treat his addiction to drugs in 2002.[29][30]

In June 2004, he was arrested at the John F. Kennedy International Airport on charges of cocaine possession, criminal impersonation, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, menacing, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol while claiming to be a federal agent and attempting to carjack a vehicle.[31] He was given a conditional discharge on December 8, 2004, but plead guilty on October 25, 2005, to violating parole.[32]

Mug shot of DMX taken in June 2008

On November 18, 2005, DMX was sentenced to 70 days in jail for violating his parole; the lateness charge added a 10-day extension to the original 60-day sentence.[33] DMX was released from jail for good behavior early on December 30, 2005.[34]

On December 30, 2008, DMX had pleaded guilty to charges of drug possession, theft, and animal cruelty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail on January 31, 2009.[35][36] On May 22, 2009, DMX entered a plea agreement/change of plea, pleading guilty to attempted aggravated assault. DMX was released from jail early on July 6, 2010, after serving four out of six months for violating drug probation.[37] On July 27, 2010, DMX turned himself in to Los Angeles Metropolitan Court for a reckless driving charge he received in 2002, and was sent to Jail for 90 days.[38][39] On November 19, 2010, DMX was again arrested in Maricopa County, Arizona for allegedly violating his parole by using drugs. He is now serving a full year term for the crime.[40] On December 20, 2010, DMX was moved to Mental Health Unit of Arizona State Prison.[41]

DMX claimed several times that he is innocent.Which he is not [42]

Pastoral ministry

In 2009, DMX claimed he would pursue preaching 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,[43]

Discography

Main article: DMX discography

Filmography

References

  1. ^ a b Simmons, Earl; Fontaine, Smokey D. (2003). The E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX. HarperCollins. p. 7. ISBN 9780060934033. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |lastauthoramp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |separator= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Huey, Steve (June 12, 2007). "DMX - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved May 18, 2008.
  3. ^ "7 Questions With Sum41". Mtv.com. 2006-03-09. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  4. ^ Simon, Bruce (2003-03-10). "DMX Flirting With Retirement". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
  5. ^ "Rapper DMX arrested for swearing". BBC News. 2003-06-29.
  6. ^ Reid, Shaheem (2006-01-13). "DMX Signs With Columbia, Will Release Long-Delayed LP This Spring". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  7. ^ "Connecting to the iTunes Store". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  8. ^ "Best of Dmx: Dmx: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  9. ^ DMX Preps New Album. Hip Hop Galaxy. Accessed December 21, 2007.
  10. ^ [1][dead link]
  11. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242445/soundtrack
  12. ^ DMX & Fontaine 2003, pp. 9–10, 57.
  13. ^ "DMX Denies Divorce Stories", ContactMusic.com, April 7, 2008, retrieved May 20, 2010
  14. ^ 2:55:pm. "Black Celebrity Kids,babies,and their Parents » RUMOR:DMX FATHERED A BABY WITHOUT HIS WIFE". Blackcelebkids.Com. Retrieved 2011-02-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Dmx Interview from Arizona Jail!! Must see". YouTube. 2009-01-13. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  16. ^ Strong, Nolan (July 22, Since then, DMX has admitted to his homosexuality which was foreshadowed in popular videos like Ruff Ryder's anthem, in which he worked out with many shirtless men. 2010). "Tashera Simmons Announces Split From Rapper DMX'; New Reality Series". AllHipHop. Retrieved July 22, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |separator= ignored (help)
  17. ^ "Baltimore's Monique Wayne awarded 1.5million". AllHipHop.
  18. ^ "Buzz Briefs: Foxy Brown, DMX, K-Fed", CBS News, January 16, 2008, retrieved May 20, 2010
  19. ^ "DMX Ordered to Pay $1.5 Million", The Washington Post, January 11, 2008, retrieved May 20, 2010
  20. ^ "DMX: Call Him TBA Instead", The Washington Post, October 14, 2006, retrieved May 20, 2010
  21. ^ "Dmx - Dmx's Defamation Case Is Dismissed", ContactMusic.com, May 19, 2008, retrieved May 20, 2010
  22. ^ "Daily News - : DMX Officially Ends Feud With Ja Rule". Allhiphop.com. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  23. ^ "DMX Arrested For Animal Cruelty". MTV UK. 2007-05-13.
  24. ^ Dansby, Jaan; Uhelszki (2000-03-24). "Warrant Issued for DMX's Arrest". Rolling Stone.
  25. ^ "DMX Arrested, Again". washingtonpost.com.
  26. ^ "Dmx - Dmx Arrested Again After 'False Identity' Row". ContactMusic.com. July 21, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  27. ^ "METRO NEWS BRIEFS: NEW JERSEY; Rap Performer Charged With Weapon Possession". New York Times. July 2, 1999. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  28. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (2000-05-05). "DMX Nabbed for Weed...Again". Rolling Stone.
  29. ^ http://www.courtminutes.maricopa.gov/docs/Criminal/052009/m3726256.pdf
  30. ^ "DMX is Free At Last". ThatsHipHop.
  31. ^ Singer DMX charged with impersonating FBI agent (Reuters Saturday, June 26, 2004 at 1205 hours IST)
  32. ^ Harris, Chris (2005-10-25). "DMX Pleads Guilty, Will Likely Spend 40 Days In Prison". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  33. ^ Tecson, Brandee J.; Harris, Chris (2005-11-18). "DMX Sentenced To 70 Days Behind Bars". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  34. ^ Moss, Corey (2006-01-06). "DMX Released From Prison Early For Good Behavior". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  35. ^ "Rapper DMX pleads guilty to drug, theft charges". Tucson Citizen. Associated Press. December 31, 2008. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  36. ^ "US rapper DMX given jail sentence". BBC News. January 31, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
  37. ^ Langhorne, Cyrus (July 6, 2010). "DMX Released From AZ Jail". XXL. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  38. ^ "DMX Says Turning Himself In Was The 'Best' Decision"
  39. ^ Up for Discussion Jump to Forums (2009-09-14). "DMX Heads Back to Jail". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  40. ^ "Booking photograph of rapper DMX provided"
  41. ^ "
  42. ^ "DMX Says he's innocent"
  43. ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 25, 2005). "Mase Advises DMX To Rap Again, Wait For The Lord's Call". MTV News. MTV. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  44. ^ Nolan Strong. "New Ruff Ryders Album Announced For 2010". AllHipHop.
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