DMX is a popular multi-Platinum American rapper, actor and songwriter best known in the hip-hop community for his unique hardcore rap influence.
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DMX was born ‘Earl Simmons’ in Mount Vernon, New York, on December 18, 1970, to parents, Joe Barker and Arnett Simmons. He is the second child of his mother who became pregnant with him when she was just nineteen years old.
DMX moved with part of his family to the infamous School Street projects, a New York City suburb of Yonkers while still a young child. He had an abusive childhood which made him violent and turned him to survive on the streets through robbery. However, it rather resulted in him spending much of his adolescence in and out of juvenile detention and youth group homes.
His stage name DMX is usually interpreted as “Dog Man X” and “Dark Man X” but was originally an acronym of “Divine Master of the Unknown”. It was in the period where he was always close to his uncles that he found his true companionship in the many stray dogs that he befriended, eventually leading to accept hip-hop as an escape from his troubles.
In February 1998, DMX released his debut major-label single, “Get at Me Dog”, on Def Jam Recordings which was certified Gold by the RIAA. His first major-label album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, which was released in May 1998 also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the U.S and sold over five million copies.
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Later that year in December, DMX released his second album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood which also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. As a result, DMX became 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.
DMX went on to become one of the most respected personalities in the hip-hop industry as he became the undisputed reigning king of hardcore rap in his days with both street credibility and artistic ingenuity to spare.
DMX Children
DMX has a total of 15 children and not much information about them is available. The rapper has four children with his ex-wife Tashera Simmons namely: Xavier Simmons, Tocoma Simmons, Shawn Simmons and Praise Mary Ella Simmons.
It was reported that DMX has also fathered 11 other children from different relationships over the years. He welcomed his 15th child, Exodus in 2016 with girlfriend Desiree Lindstrom.
DMX Net Worth
Despite the fact that he is currently the fifth best-selling rap artist in the United States, DMX reportedly has an estimated net worth of negative $10 million.