DMX, born Earl Simmons, was a highly influential American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His music, known for its intense and aggressive rapping style, often explored a range of themes from hardcore street life to deeply personal expressions of faith and prayer.
December 18, 1970: Birth of Earl Simmons, Later Known as DMX
On December 18, 1970, Earl Simmons, who would later be known as DMX, was born. He would go on to become a prominent figure in the hip-hop world.
1985: DMX's Introduction to the Music Scene
DMX's journey into music began in 1985, not as a rapper, but as a beatboxer for a local artist named Ready Ron.
December 1986: DMX Escapes Prison
In December 1986, DMX and his cellmate escaped from Industry Institution in upstate New York, where he was serving a two-year sentence. He later turned himself in and completed his sentence at the McCormick Juvenile Detention Centre.
1988: DMX's Time in Prison and Development of His Rapping Style
While imprisoned in 1988 for carjacking, DMX used his time to hone his rapping skills, even creating a unique style called "Spellbound." It was during this time he also engaged in rap battles with fellow inmate and future rival, K-Solo.
1988: DMX Imprisoned for Carjacking
DMX was sent to prison in 1988 for carjacking.
January 1991: DMX Gains Recognition
DMX's talent was recognized in January 1991 when he appeared on "The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show" and earned praise from The Source magazine in their Unsigned Hype column.
1993: DMX's First Major Label Single Release
In 1993, DMX released "Born Loser," his debut single under Columbia Records' subsidiary labels. Despite not achieving commercial success, this marked a significant step in his career.
January 1994: Death Row Records' Attempt to Sign DMX
January 1994 saw Death Row Records attempt to sign DMX in a joint venture with Ruff Ryders Entertainment, a deal that ultimately fell through.
April 1997: DMX Begins Recording His Debut Album
DMX began recording his debut album in April 1997, marking the start of a period of intense creativity and productivity.
May 1997: DMX Signs with Def Jam Recordings
In May 1997, DMX's career took a pivotal turn when he signed with Def Jam Recordings after impressing then-president Lyor Cohen.
January 1998: DMX Concludes Recording His Debut Album
DMX concluded the recording of his debut album in January 1998 after months of dedicated work.
February 1998: Release of "Get at Me Dog"
DMX released "Get at Me Dog" in February 1998, his first major-label single with Def Jam Recordings, which went on to achieve gold certification.
May 1998: Release of "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot"
May 1998 saw the release of DMX's highly anticipated debut album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot," which quickly soared to number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
December 1998: Release of "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood"
DMX's second album, "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood," was released in December 1998, continuing his streak of chart-topping success.
1998: DMX's Breakthrough Year in Music
The year 1998 marked DMX's rise to fame with the release of his debut album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot," which achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, selling a quarter million units in its first week.
1998: DMX's Acting Debut in "Belly"
DMX made his acting debut in 1998 with the film "Belly," starring alongside fellow rapper Nas.
December 21, 1999: Release of "... And Then There Was X"
On December 21, 1999, DMX released his third studio album, "... And Then There Was X," which continued his success on the Billboard 200 chart, debuting at number one. The album garnered both critical and popular acclaim.
1999: DMX Dominates the Charts
In 1999, DMX solidified his presence in the music industry by releasing two consecutive number-one albums, "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" and "... And Then There Was X," with the latter becoming his best-selling album.
1999: DMX Marries Tashera Simmons
DMX married his childhood friend, Tashera Simmons, in 1999.
December 19, 2000: DMX Joins the Anger Management Tour
DMX joined the Anger Management Tour on December 19, 2000, sharing the stage with prominent acts like Limp Bizkit and Godsmack, showcasing the convergence of hip-hop and nu-metal at the time.
2000: DMX's Cameo in Sum 41's "Makes No Difference" Music Video
DMX made a cameo appearance in the music video for Sum 41's song "Makes No Difference" in 2000.
2000: DMX Stars Alongside Aaliyah in "Romeo Must Die"
In 2000, DMX starred in the action film "Romeo Must Die" with the late singer Aaliyah.
October 23, 2001: Release of "The Great Depression"
DMX's fourth studio album, "The Great Depression," was released on October 23, 2001. The album achieved triple platinum status but marked a slight decline in his commercial success compared to his previous works.
2001: DMX in Action Thriller "Exit Wounds"
DMX appeared in the action thriller "Exit Wounds" in 2001.
2001: Grammy Award Nomination for "Party Up (Up in Here)"
DMX received a Grammy Award nomination in 2001 for Best Rap Solo Performance for his hit single "Party Up (Up in Here)" from his album "... And Then There Was X." The album itself was also nominated for Best Rap Album at the same Grammy Awards ceremony.
2001: Release of "The Great Depression"
DMX released his fourth album, "The Great Depression," in 2001. Though certified triple platinum, the album did not achieve the same level of success as his previous works.
2002: Drug Rehabilitation
DMX entered drug rehabilitation for the first time in 2002.
2002: Sasha Birth
DMX's daughter, Sasha, was born in 2002.
September 2003: Release of "Grand Champ" and Announcement of Retirement
DMX released "Grand Champ" in September 2003, marking his fifth studio album and his last to achieve a number-one debut on the Billboard 200. Following its release, DMX announced his intention to retire from music, suggesting that "Grand Champ" would be his final album.
2003: Cradle 2 the Grave Release
In 2003, DMX co-starred with Gabrielle Union and Jet Li in the action movie "Cradle 2 the Grave."
2003: DMX in "Cradle 2 the Grave" and Release of His Autobiography
The year 2003 saw DMX star alongside Jet Li in the action film "Cradle 2 the Grave." That same year, DMX released his autobiography, "E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX," providing fans with an intimate look into his life.
2003: DMX's Final Chart-Topping Album
DMX's fifth album, "Grand Champ," was released in 2003, becoming his last album to reach number one on the charts during his lifetime.
2004: Monique Wayne's Son is Born
DMX's son with Maryland resident Monique Wayne was born in 2004.
August 1, 2006: Year of the Dog... Again Release
On August 1, 2006, DMX released his sixth studio album, "Year of the Dog... Again," under Columbia Records. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
2006: DMX: Soul of a Man Reality Series
In 2006, DMX gave viewers a glimpse into his life off-stage with his reality television series, "DMX: Soul of a Man," which aired on BET.
January 2008: DMX Ordered to Pay $1.5 Million in Child Support
In January 2008, after genetic testing proved he was the father of Monique Wayne's son, DMX was ordered by a court to pay $1.5 million in child support.
June 12, 2008: The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter Release
Def Jam released DMX's greatest hits album, "The Definition of X: The Pick of the Litter," on June 12, 2008.
2008: DMX Stars in "Last Hour"
DMX starred in the 2008 film "Last Hour" alongside Michael Madsen.
2009: DMX and Ja Rule End Their Feud
DMX and Ja Rule officially ended their feud at VH1's Hip Hop Honors in 2009.
July 2010: DMX and Tashera Simmons Separate
DMX and his wife, Tashera Simmons, separated in July 2010 after he was incarcerated for the first of three times that year.
September 24, 2011: "Last Hope" Video Release
A music video for DMX's new track titled "Last Hope" was released on the internet on September 24, 2011.
October 11, 2011: DMX Performs at BET Hip Hop Awards
DMX performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards on October 11, 2011.
December 25, 2011: DMX Announces "Undisputed" Album
During a performance at New York's Santos Party House on December 25, 2011, DMX announced that his new album would be titled "Undisputed."
2011: The Best of DMX Release
In 2011, Def Jam released another compilation album of DMX's music titled "The Best of DMX."
February 2012: Seven Arts Pictures Signs DMX
Seven Arts Pictures acquired DMX's music catalog and signed him to a two-album deal in February 2012.
May 5, 2012: The Weigh In EP Release
DMX's "The Weigh In" EP was digitally released on May 5, 2012.
September 11, 2012: "Undisputed" Album Release
DMX's album "Undisputed" was released on September 11, 2012, after a number of delays.
2012: Patricia Trejo Sues DMX for Unpaid Child Support
Patricia Trejo, DMX's former partner, sued him for $1 million in child support payments in 2012.
July 30, 2013: DMX Files for Bankruptcy
On July 30, 2013, DMX filed for bankruptcy for the first time, citing child support payments as his priority claim.
2013: DMX Begins Work on Eighth Studio Album
DMX started working on his eighth studio album in 2013.
January 7, 2015: Seven Arts Music Falsely Announces "Redemption of the Beast" Release
On January 7, 2015, Seven Arts Music incorrectly announced that DMX would be releasing his album "Redemption of the Beast" the following week. DMX's management confirmed that this was false.
January 13, 2015: Seven Arts Music Releases "Redemption of the Beast" Without Permission
Seven Arts Music released DMX's album "Redemption of the Beast" on January 13, 2015 without obtaining legal permission.
January 15, 2015: DMX's Management Announces Legal Action Against Seven Arts Music
DMX's manager announced on January 15, 2015 that DMX was no longer signed with Seven Arts Music and that they would be taking legal action against the company for the unauthorized release of "Redemption of the Beast."
February 10, 2016: Health Scare
On February 10, 2016, DMX was found unresponsive in a hotel parking lot after ingesting an unknown substance. He was revived with Narcan and hospitalized.
June 28, 2016: "Blood Red" Release
DMX released his song "Blood Red," produced by Divine Bars, on June 28, 2016.
August 16, 2016: DMX's Fifteenth Child is Born
DMX's fiancée, Desiree Lindstrom, gave birth to his fifteenth child on August 16, 2016.
2016: DMX Gives Sermon in Phoenix
DMX delivered a sermon at a church in Phoenix, Arizona in 2016.
January 11, 2017: "Bain Iz Back" Release
On January 11, 2017, DMX released his song "Bain Iz Back," produced by Swizz Beatz.
July 2017: Tax Fraud Charges
In July 2017, DMX was charged with 14 federal counts of tax fraud for failing to file income tax returns from 2010 to 2015.
November 2017: Guilty Plea
DMX pleaded guilty to a single count of tax fraud in November 2017.
2017: Drug Rehabilitation
DMX entered drug rehabilitation again in 2017.
January 2018: Remanded to Jail
In January 2018, DMX was remanded to jail for leaving a drug treatment program and relapsing.
March 2018: Sentencing
In March 2018, DMX was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of supervised release for tax fraud.
January 25, 2019: Release from Prison
On January 25, 2019, DMX was released from prison after serving a one-year sentence for tax fraud.
September 20, 2019: DMX Returns to Def Jam Recordings
DMX signed a new record deal with Def Jam Recordings on September 20, 2019.
December 5, 2019: DMX's Twin Sons are Born
Pebbles Junell gave birth to DMX's sixteenth and seventeenth children, twin boys, on December 5, 2019.
2019: YoungBoy Never Broke Again Sets New Billboard Record
Rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again achieved a new Billboard record in 2019 by having three number-one albums within a 10-month period, surpassing another one of DMX's records.
2019: DMX and Steven Seagal Team Up for "Beyond the Law"
In 2019, DMX starred alongside renowned action star Steven Seagal in the film "Beyond the Law."
2019: Drug Rehabilitation and Cancelled Concerts
In 2019, DMX entered drug rehabilitation once more and had to cancel concerts.
2020: YoungBoy Never Broke Again Surpasses DMX's Billboard Record
In 2020, rapper YoungBoy Never Broke Again broke DMX's record of consecutive number-one Billboard 200 albums released within a year.
April 2, 2021: Hospitalization and Critical Condition
On April 2, 2021, DMX was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after suffering a heart attack at home, possibly due to a drug overdose.
April 9, 2021: Death of DMX
On April 9, 2021, the music world mourned the loss of DMX, a significant figure in hip-hop who left behind a legacy of raw emotion and powerful performances.
April 24, 2021: Celebration of Life
On April 24, 2021, a public "Celebration of Life" was held for DMX at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, featuring performances by Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir and speeches by fellow artists and friends.
April 25, 2021: Homegoing Celebration
DMX's funeral, a "Homegoing Celebration," took place on April 25, 2021, at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, with limited attendance and livestreaming on BET and YouTube. The service included speeches from family, friends, and fellow artists, as well as a performance by Faith Evans.
May 28, 2021: Exodus Album Release
DMX's eighth and final studio album, "Exodus," was released posthumously on May 28, 2021.
June 28, 2021: BET Awards Tribute
On June 28, 2021, at the BET Awards, DMX's music was celebrated in a tribute performance featuring Method Man, Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, and Michael K. Williams.
2021: DMX's Enduring Legacy in Music
By 2021, DMX had sold over 75 million records worldwide, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in the hip-hop community.