Earl Simmons, later known as DMX, was born in Mount Vernon, NY in 1970. He came to fame signed to Def Jam and Ruff Ryders during the 1990s. His albums It’s Dark and Hell is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood solidified him as a rap legend.
His gritty flow and raw storytelling quickly set him apart from other rappers and he continued to make hits into the 2000s. He often talked about his struggles as a child and young adult with gun violence and drug abuse mixed with spirituality and redemption emerging as themes. X struggled with addiction and tragically passed away in 2021. He released a posthumous album entitled Exodus.