By: Jeremiah Holloway (’22), Managing Editor
Two weeks ago, the world lost its ultimate Ruff Ryder.
The public image of DMX from his music, of course, is the raspy voice and fiery lyrics heard on all of his albums. Songs like “Party Up” and “Where The Hood At” instantly set the tone in any room they are played in.
Two weeks ago, the world lost its ultimate Ruff Ryder.
The public image of DMX from his music, of course, is the raspy voice and fiery lyrics heard on all of his albums. Songs like “Party Up” and “Where The Hood At” instantly set the tone in any room they are played in.
What is also important to his legacy is his vulnerability. This was seen not only in his music, but in public interviews as well. DMX sometimes would pray in front of large groups, as multiple videos grace the internet of him doing so. He even prayed on albums before, something that is not typically seen from high-profile rappers.
What DMX never did was hide from the world. Even with his imperfections, he remained honest with his fanbase and displayed a rare level of transparency. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, winning many people over in this way.
Since his passing, many DMX stories have circulated on social media that further his legacy. Upon reminiscing on his life, people have shared old clips about people talking about the rap legend that come as a surprise to those of us who did not know him.
Via Instagram, Gabrielle Union stated that she and DMX shared a love for reruns of The Golden Girls. Another person posted images of him cooking omelets at an IHOP in Buffalo. Another story went viral with him helping someone learn to forgive their father after a fifteen-minute conversation.
Along with these are several other anecdotes about DMX showing a side of himself that we would not envision on our own, but give a deeper dive into who he was as a person.
Given his importance in both the hip-hop community and the world, he deserved for his last days to be handled much better than they were.
Upon hearing of his heart attack days before his death, many of us offered up prayers as we learned the news. It gave us the opportunity to reflect on his talents and some of his best work. An unfortunate consequence of knowing his state, however, was the false rumors of his passing prior to April 9th. Before the passing of DMX was officially confirmed, comedian Luenell went to Instagram to claim that he died. At this time, he was still on life support. Occasionally on Twitter, “RIP DMX” would trend before his family or agent confirmed it.
For someone who gave so much of himself, more respect should have been returned to him. Though it makes sense for the family to alert the public of his condition, hip-hop fans and media owed him a better response.
Reflecting on how everything went down, it makes more sense why Chadwick Boseman and MF DOOM’s families kept their business close to home. Handling the matter internally protects from the botching of a situation, similar to what DMX, unfortunately, became subject to. Everyone has their own way of processing, though the deaths of loved ones never breeds easy and perfect circumstances.
Fortunately, DMX’s final days do not taint his legacy. He will forever be revered as one of the most influential voices in hip-hop and a powerful figure in music.
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