By: Dennis Richmond, Jr.
Earl “DMX” Simmons departed this life on Friday, April 9th, 2021 in White Plains, New York. It’s surreal for me to be writing this article. Sources across the globe are publishing stories both online and in-print about X. Though many sources want to focus on negative aspects of X’s life, I’d like to share the good.
I’m a young man from Yonkers, New York who was born in 1995. As such, DMX’s music played a huge role in my childhood. Songs like, “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem” and “Party Up (Up In Here)” were literally, Yonkers Anthem’s. Between Mary J. Blige, DMX, and The LOX, Yonkers became known in the Music World as a respected place for the real. DMX was one of the people who made that happen.
DMX was the type of person who took pictures with his fans. Born in Mount Vernon and raised in Yonkers, his family knew my family for decades. My grandmother, the late Mrs. Joyce Jones would see him when he was a little boy. She lived on 28 Lamartine Terrace in Yonkers. X was never a stranger to where he was from. He always made sure to big up Yonkers up no matter what. He would give children money when they needed it. People across New York have stories about DMX and the amazing person that he was.
DMX and rappers like him; JAY-Z, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Busta Rhymes, share one huge personality trait. They always tell the truth in their music. X’s songs carried truth in them, and he wasn’t afraid to let the world know how he felt. Despite everything going on in his personal life, X made sure to always shine on stage and in his music. X’s 1998 debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot was certified 4x Multi-Platinum. His best-selling album …And Then There Was X reached 5x Platinum status.
People across the world are mourning the late, LEGENDARY rapper, DMX. Perhaps that feeling is most felt right here in Yonkers.
Rest In Peace, X.
Love.
