DMX released his debut album ‘ It ' s Dark and Hell Is Hot ’ in 1998 . The record received commercial success-selling 251,000 copies within its first week of release . The single ‘ Get At Me Dog ’ served as his debut song off the critically acclaimed album .
DMX then released his second studio album , ‘ Flesh of My Flesh , Blood of My Blood ’ in the same year . The album ’ s single ' RIAA certified ' Slippin " gold .
In 1999 , DMX released his third studio album ‘... And Then There Was X ’. The album included the hit single ‘ Party Up ( Up in Here )’. The third single ‘ What They Really Want ’ featuring Sisqo peaked at number 11 on the Billboard US Hot R & B / Hip-Hop Songs . In 2019 , the # DMXChallenge took over social media , reviving the song ’ s popularity . ‘... And Then There Was X ’ was certified 5x Multi-Platinum by the RIAA in 2001 . The album was nominated for ‘ Best Rap Album ’ at the 2001 Grammys .
DMX Star Power
The hit single ‘ X Gon ' Give It to Ya ’ was commercially successful . It was the lead single in the 2003 film . ‘ Cradle to the Grave ’ soundtrack . X starred alongside Jet Li , Gabrielle Union and Paige Hurd . The single has featured in films and television , including Rick and Morty , Deadpool , Shameless and Euphoria .
His work in films included Belly , Romeo Must Die , Exit Wounds , Cradle 2 the Grave , and Last Hour . In 2006 , DMX starred in the reality television series DMX : Soul of a Man , which aired on BET . He published a book of his memoirs entitled , E . A . R . L .: The Autobiography of DMX in 2003 .
Overall , DMX has sold over 74 million records worldwide . His three-decade career included seven studio albums , seven compilation albums , one mixtape , two EPs , 47 singles and 24 music videos . At the time of his passing , he had been working on a new album . His body of work included The Great Depression , Grand Champ , Year of the Champ , and Undisputed . He also contributed to the culture of the Ruff Ryder Motorcycle chapters across the country through the ' Ruff Ryders ' anthem .
If we look at the life , music and legacy of DMX , we can not ignore his challenges . Ironically , his troubles defined art imitating life . In an interview with the Breakfast Club , DMX stated that he lived to suffer so that others wouldn ' t . He always found purpose in his music because of the lives that it spoke to . Through the addiction and incarceration , his music kept him alive . The body of work from his discography was that of a superb storyteller . The gritty album artwork always told a story , always including dogs , street walls and the colour red . Though most of his lyrics were often dark , his message was that of hope through the trials . His faith is probably what separated him from the rest . DMX prayed at his shows , interviews , for his fans , and at any opportunity that he got . DMX embodied a passion that made him one of the most compelling performers of his generation .
DMX spoke to the streets and stood for the underdog . Often introspective whilst dealing with his ' demons ', he allowed himself to be vulnerable . He aspired to be a better man with the motivation coming from being a father , and his faith . He may have led a conflicting life , but DMX ' s resilience was an example to follow . The narrative of a young abandoned boy from the streets to a hitmaking star is inspirational . Leading the way as a leader who contributed to the hip hop culture , the legacy of rap ' s inscrutable MC will live on .
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