LEGENDS LIVE FOREVER
April 9, 2021 the world loss a Hip hop legend…Earl Simmons aka DMX. Mann I remember trying to sculpt a “R” out of aluminum foil; call myself making a Ruff Ryder Chain lol. Every body in that era wanted to be a Ruff Ryder at some point. The click was loud, raunchy, hood, and always turnt. Their videos were action field mini movies; crazy motorcycle stunts, Ruff Ryder chains, bandanas, massive pit bulls, and a lot more etc. Honestly, I had to sneak and listen to X cause I was a youngin and my mama wasn’t going for that explicit language lol. Her parenting was on point, but I was still very much in tune with the hip hop scene; rapping every word to the Ruff Ryder’s Anthem from the corners of my bedroom.
Like most people I loved DMX raw talent and his musical genius. The production, his lyrics, and his swag, but more than anything I was drawn to his boldness…like this man really growling and barking on this track…who is this? DMX had culture shifting hits; Party Up, Slippin, Where the Hood At, X Gon Give it to ya, and so many more. He shared the talent of many people, but sounded like none.
When I got older I came to admire and respect DMX for more than just the uniqueness of his raspy voice, and random barking. I loved that he openly shared his faith. Every chance he got he professed his need/love for Jesus Christ. How can you profess to be a believer and an addict in the same song? X had the guts to spotlight “faith” and “struggle” on the same stage. He had the audacity to invite people to Christ, and in the same breath admit that he had not fully kicked his addiction. He was in the fight, warring between flesh and spirit. Honestly, this is the struggle of every believer everyday…but really nobody saying that stuff out loud, especially in the 90s/00s…DMX did it though.
On one of his songs “The Convo” DMX is seeking God. This one line says “Thou shall not steal, but I will to eat, I tried doing good but good not good to me…” By the end of the song he’s turned back to God but bruhh his honesty was so rare that it was offensive. You couldn’t hide him or shut him up; he was young, loud, rich, famous, successful and struggling in front of the whole world. X handled it well. When his private struggles became public, he stood in that vulnerability, in away that we don’t often see… especially in black men. He stood broken and exposed and while in his own mess, he pointed to Jesus.
X wrestled addiction to the very end, even more than that…he evangelized to the very end…he won! His faith was desperate, his struggle…real, his honesty…rare, his lyrics raw, and his legacy…lasting!
May he rest forever in God’s presence!
