DMX

Birth Name:

Earl Simmons

Birth Place:

Mount Vernon, New York, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Producer

Became the first artist in music history to have his first five albums reach number one on the Billboard 200
The second rapper in history, behind Tupac, to release two albums in the same calendar year that would eventually reach number one on the Billboard 200
His extensive legal record includes bookings for animal cruelty, reckless driving, drug possession and several others
Gained widespread attention after an article in The Source magazine was written about him in 1991, which was later seen by Columbia Records executives who signed him the following year
Released his first breakout single in 1998 with Def Jam Recordings, a track that would appear on the album It's Dark and Hell is Hot which would go on to sell over five million copies
After being released from Columbia Records in the early '90s, he gained widespread attention after appearing on a LL Cool J single in 1997
While juggling his resurging music career, he would begin to pursue work as a preacher by the late 2000s after being released from jail
Stated that he planned to retire from music in 2003, however, he would resign with Columbia Records in 2006

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