Earl Simmons or most commonly known as DMX is one of the legends of hardcore rap and currently the fifth best-selling rap artist in the United States.
However, his total net worth was estimated to be at a negative million dollars.
If you are curious about how DMX, the cinemaholic landed on such figures, then keep reading as we will show you more about his career, personal life, and how or why he has a negative net worth.
Personal Details
Full Name: Earl Simmons
Stage Name: DMX
Gender: Male
Birthday: December 18, 1970
Place of Origin: Yonkers, New York, U.S
Age: 47
Height: 5’10” ft
Weight: 81 Kg
Nationality: American
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Status: Married
Wife: Tashera Simmons
Profession: American rapper, actor, songwriter, film producer
Total Net Worth: Negative $10 million
Early Life
Earl Simmons, well-known for his stage name DMX, was born on December 18, 1970, in Mount Vernon, New York. He is the son of Arnett Simmons, an abusive mother, and Joe Barker, an in denial father who does not recognize DMX as his son.
DMX suffered an abusive and chaotic childhood. He witnessed a cruel environment and had to live in the streets which led his path astray by using drugs and getting involved in serious crimes at a young age.
The rapper had to transfer homes to escape his abusive mother and finally settled at the boy’s home, a residence for young people who are unable to live with their family. Simmons found salvation with the other kids in the residence through sharing the love for hip-hop which also inspired him to continue writing music.
His stage name DMX was inspired by an instrument Oberheim DMX drum machine which he was using at the boy’s home. Later on, his alias can also be interpreted as Dark Man X.
DMX Success as a Rapper
In 1984, DMX started his career by being a beatboxer for his partner, a local rapper named Ready Ron. Years passed, DMX got involved in some serious crimes which he had to pay his time in prison. After his imprisonment, he was inspired to write lyrics and perform at a local center like his previous home.
DMX started building his career the moment he got out of prison. He began to make mixtapes of his craft and sell them on street corners. This made him known in the freestyle rap scene and was featured in The Source Magazine’s Unsigned Hype column.
It was in 1992 when Ruffhouse, a subsidiary label of Columbia Records signed DMX a deal and released his debut single entitled “Born Loser”.
DMX’s reputation and recognition skyrocketed in 1998 where his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, sold 300,000 copies within its first week of release. One year later, he released another album, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood followed by “Then There Was X”. Both albums earned the first spot on the Billboard 200 and were eventually certified four to six-times Platinum.
The rapper produced a total of six studio albums and has sold over 80 million albums worldwide. Moreover, DMX also played supporting roles in some action films including Cradle to the Grave with Jet Li.
Over the years, DMX made a name for himself and continues to renew his popularity by signing music labels and getting a role in films. Some of his music was featured in films including his 2003 song “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” in the most anticipated superhero film Deadpool as well as in an episode of the popular cartoon Rick and Morty.
Personal Life and Controversy
DMX is the father of fifteen children, four of whom are born to his wife Tashera Simmons while the other eleven are from several different women. The rapper was married to Tashera for eleven years until his wife announced their separation in 2012.
One out of the several different women he had a child with, Monique Wayne fought for her child’s rights. DMX did not own up to it until the DNA results proved that he is the father of the child. The court demanded him to pay $1.5 million to Wayne as compensation.
In July 2013, the rapper filed for bankruptcy, however, the court dismissed his petition three months later.
Achievement and Awards
Being known as the top five best-selling rap artists in the US, DMX claimed awards in recognition for his success in the music industry. He won the American Music Awards in 2000 and 2001 as the Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist of the year.
His work has also been nominated for three Grammy Awards and four MTV Music Video Awards.
Net worth
It is true that over the years, DMX earns millions of dollars but because of his legal issues including his obligation as a father to support his children, resorting to tax evasion, illegal possession of drugs, his net worth was drained to negative $10 million.
Unless he solves his legal problems, the renowned rapper to be the only one in history who consecutively had four of its album place number one in the Billboard 200, might still be assessed the same in the coming years.
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