DMX

Earl Simmons (born December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland), also known as Dark Man X, The Divine Master of the Unknown, or simply DMX, is an African-American rapper/hip hop performer and actor, who was most famous in

Earl Simmons (born December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland), also known as Dark Man X, The Divine Master of the Unknown, or simply DMX, is an African-American rapper/hip hop performer and actor, who was most famous in the late-1990s. His dark, gothic subject matter, usually depicting a tortured soul torn between the sacred and the profane; and his gruff, barked rhymes were acclaimed by fans and critics alike.

The only child of a single mother, Simmons grew up in the inner city of Yonkers, New York. He began pursuing a career in hip-hop in the early 1990s, a 1994 deal with Columbia Records fell through. In the late 1990s, he joined the Ruff Ryders Entertainment management company, who arranged a deal with Def Jam for Simmons. DMX's debut single was "Get at Me Dog", an instant hit. His critically-acclaimed debut album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, is considered a classic hip-hop album, and is often credited with revitalizing Hardcore Rap in the mainstream scene, after the deaths of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G., and after Puff Daddy and Bad Boy Entertainment briefly dominated the charts with their pop-orientated and sample-reliant tunes. In 1997, he earned a second major-label shot with Def Jam, and made a successful guest appearance on LL Cool J's "4, 3, 2, 1." More guest spots on Mase's "24 Hours to Live" and fellow Yonkers MCs the LOX's "Money, Power & Respect" created an even stronger buzz, and in early 1998, he released his debut Def Jam single, "Get at Me Dog." The song went gold and was a hit on the rap and dance charts. The single paved the way for DMX to release his first full-length album, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which debuted as number one on the pop charts. It was also number one on many other charts . Produced mostly by Swizz Beatz, who became known because of it, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot earned DMX numerous comparisons to Tupac Shakur for his booming and aggressive presence on the mic, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot sold over four million copies. Shortly after the album's release in May 1998, DMX was accused of raping a stripper in the Bronx, but was later cleared by DNA evidence. He made his film debut in in Hype Williams' ambitious but unsuccessful Belly. It's Dark and Hell Is Hot entered the charts at #1 in 1998.