The most visceral, raw energy in rap history. X's barking intensity, street storytelling and dark spirituality made him unforgettable.
Lyrical depth & complexity
Rhythm & cadence mastery
Vocal presence & control
Knockout bar impact
Word range & precision
Style range & adaptability
Album-to-album reliability
In-battle chess / reads
Double entendres & metaphors
Cultural impact & legacy
Factual career statistics — commercial success is separate from rapping craft.
Earl Simmons
Real Name
December 18, 1970
Born
Yonkers, New York
Hometown
1980s - 2021
Active Years
0
Hot 100 Entries
null
Hot 100 Peak
0
Top 10 Singles
0
#1 Singles
0
BB200 Entries
1
Album Peak
5
#1 Albums
0
Top 10 Albums
0
Weeks Charted
null
Total Streams
X Gon' Give It To Ya
Most Streamed Song
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
Album · null
Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
Album · null
...And Then There Was X
Album · null
First artist to have his first four albums enter the charts at number one
First rapper to have two number one and multi-platinum albums within the same calendar year
Scene: East Coast Hip-Hop
Movement: Hardcore Rap
DMX rose from a difficult upbringing in Yonkers to become a commercial powerhouse in the late 90s. Known for his signature growl and intense energy, he became the first artist to debut with five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200. Beyond music, he was a successful actor, starring in films like Belly and Romeo Must Die.
Influences: 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G.
Influenced: 50 Cent, Drake
Source: Wikipedia / Billboard / RIAA / Public streaming figures · Last updated: 2026-08-19