DMX, also known as Earl Simmons, has been around the block a few times. The rapper and actor has had an active and fruitful career over the course of the 1990s and early aughts. However, despite all the time DMX has spent in the spotlight, there are still some things that many people do not know about him. With that in mind, here we present our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about DMX. Check out part one below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
Number Fifteen: He Had an Abusive Childhood. DMX was born in Mount Vernon, New York, although he was raised in Yonkers, New York. His childhood was quite tumultuous, and he was in and out of group homes and was arrested several times.
Number Fourteen: He Was a Beatboxer. Before he made it as a rapper, DMX got his start as a beatboxer. He began performing in 1988.
Number Thirteen: He Got His Name From an Instrument. DMX used his name to pay tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, which was an instrument he used in the 1980s. However, “DMX” has also been interpreted as standing for “Dark Man X.”
Number Twelve: He Has a Cameo in a Sum 41 Video. DMX has done a lot of collaborations, and one of the most notable and interesting is with Sum 41. He made an appearance in their video for “Makes No Difference.”
Number Eleven: He Is in an Elite Group With Tupac. DMX and Tupac are the only two rappers in history to have released two albums that debuted at number one on the charts in the same exact year. DMX achieved this with his albums titled It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood.
Number Ten: He Holds a Special Record. DMX truly is in a league of his own when it comes to debuting albums. In fact, he is the only artist in the history of ever to have five consecutive albums debut at number one on the charts.
Number Nine: He Got Into Preaching. After a wildly successful career as a rapper, DMX decided he wanted to pursue a career as a preacher in 2009. Before he was incarcerated, he completed a Gospel album.