DMX had a lasting impact on the classic New York City rap scene. He will always be legendary and fondly remembered. AP Photo by Def Jam
Life and Death. They intertwine. It’s part of what makes life so challenging. We have all experienced pain from the loss of a loved one. There’s nothing harder.
Whether it’s a sibling, family member or close friend, it hurts. The grieving process is one of the most difficult things for us to handle. Some will handle it better while others have a tougher time. I used to be able to be stronger. But the older you get, the harsher the reality becomes. More loss is felt. And naturally, we melt. Tears are shed. We pray for them to have eternal peace.
I’ve never felt sadder than when our friend Lindsay passed tragically. It will be 11 years next month. Where did all the time go? He was the kind of positive person who made you smile, laugh and appreciate everything. We still miss him. It gets harder every year for me to go visit his site Home Depot made for him. I think it’s only natural. It really hurts.
It seems that the older we get, we’re always attending wakes and eulogizing people we knew. Or in some cases, didn’t except we were there to support a friend through a difficult time. I guess what I’m saying is the past year has made it even worse. So many people in all walks of life dying. Many famous too. Some from COVID. Others due to tragedy. Or even losing a battle. There seems to be no difference between 2020 and 2021. It feels like the year doesn’t matter anymore.
Joining the list of the fallen is legendary NYC rapper DMX. I can’t speak for others. But for me and many of our inner circle, we loved the man known as Earl Simmons. A Yonkers native from Mount Vernon. For so long, New York has been the home of rap, producing such legendary acts like Run DMC, KRS-One, Rakim, LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys, MC Lyte, Craig Mack, Heavy D, Nas, Mobb Deep, Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur (before he went to California), Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Jay Z, Aaliyah, Mary J. Blidge, Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim, Big Pun, 50 Cent, Mase, Nicki Minaj, Mos Def, Cam’ron, AZ, etc.
The list of MC’s is long who made it in the city that never sleeps and plays for keeps. We’ve had our share of legendary rappers who came and conquered that are no longer with us. But their music and lasting legacy lives on in the spirit of the rap industry. So, when I put on a classic 2Pac or Biggie track, you better believe I’m raising the volume. Ditto for Big Pun, Craig Mack, Heavy D, Prodigy and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. I also loved Aaliyah and consider her the original queen of R&B. What a unique talent and voice. It’s hard to believe it’s been 20 years since her passing.
When I think of DMX, I’m instantly reminded of the energy and electricity he brought to each song. You could feel it coming through your speakers. His first album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot was fire 🔥. I still have that memorable album on CD. I definitely need to find it and put in on full blast in tribute to Mr. Simmons.
Like many great albums, there’s not a bad song on it. I didn’t really know who he was until one day we heard him in college while hanging out and chilling like a villain who be killin’, willin’ n thrillin’. My own vibe. I loved his sound. He had a unique style all his own which is what these cats need to become successful. Every great rapper has one. DMX was all about his Dawgs. It worked. Somehow, he incorporated dogs barking in some of his material and it clicked.
So, what are some of my favorite tracks from DMX? Try “Stop Being Greedy”, which has such pure energy and a hypnotic beat along with X’s mad flow. The video comes at you fast and is fun. That’s my favorite song by him. But there’s many great ones.
“Ruff Ryders Anthem” is a classic. I also dig his “Prayer”, in which he takes a timeout to speak to the almighty. There’s something very poetic about that. I remember Mobb Deep doing similar back in the day. I still have that album.
“Where My Dogs At”, as seen above is a timeless classic by DMX with a cool beat. It has a bit of a spooky theme that feels like a foggy evening as he recites his poetry. That’s what rap is. It’s insightful and delightful lyrics that come straight from the heart playing on our emotions. Some of it very tragic true tales that’ll make us really think about life. The old school rapper was the realest one. They didn’t go on and on about money, diamonds and making it rain in every song. They spit the truth.
“Get At Me Dog”, was inspired by Snoop Dogg from a chance meeting at a club. The video and song comes at you hard. That’s how DMX did it. He was real and truly authentic. I miss this hard hitting style. There’s still Nas and Jadakiss. A few others who aren’t fake. I guess it depends on your preference. I will always feel that rap was never better than the 90’s. There were a lot of artists out there giving us different slants. Though the 2000’s also had a good run. Variety is always good. Originators innovate.
Stop, drop, shut’em down open up shop
Oh, no, that’s how Ruff Ryders roll
Legendary. Catchy too. “X Gon’ Give It To Ya.”
What a collaboration between Lil’ Kim and DMX with The Lox. This was hot. They flowed good together.
This is when rap videos were videos. He went hard.
I wish it didn’t turn out the way it did for him. As we know, DMX battled demons due to drug addiction. He was open and honest about his personal issues and wanted to become a better person.
Addiction is hard to kick for many. I take med to treat my anxiety. If I didn’t, I’d be screwed. The truth is drugs whether legal or not are so addictive that our body becomes too dependent on them. Withdrawal symptoms are very real and scary. I know from experience. It’s like the drug has you at its mercy. So do pharmaceutical companies. An important topic not discussed enough. Especially with mental health suffering over the past year.
Of course when you’re rich and famous hanging out with many leeches who don’t have your best interests, drugs are readily available. How many musicians have succumbed to that lifestyle? I don’t pretend to know whether that’s why DMX suffered a heart attack last week and passed away early today.
What I do know is how toxic the media has become by jumping the gun and reporting his death prematurely. Totally classless and unprofessional. Everyone has to be first to report the bad news. They’re like vultures. The same as the snakes who hang around our favorite artists or actors and push drugs, enabling the addicts. It’s very sad.
I would rather remember Earl Simmons as a great rapper who made a difference. He was DMX to all of us. A hungry dog in a Wolfpack who brought out the smiles and laughs we needed thanks to his amazing style.
Life should be celebrated. They did for Christopher Wallace when they learned of his tragic death in ’97. Playing his music and blasting it as a tribute to Biggie which made his Mom so appreciative and proud. Her son was unbelievable.
Of course, death is sad and hurts. I eulogized my old coworker Kola in this space the other day. He embodied that same great human spirit that is alive in many of us. The one they’re trying to destroy. My advice is simple. Don’t let them.
Enjoy each day to the fullest. Appreciate who you have. Surround yourselves with angels. That’s what your Inner Circle truly is. Do what makes you happy when you can. It’ll help tremendously.
Thank you DMX for what you brought to the radio airwaves and to so many fans. That infectious energy and personality will never be forgotten. You will always be legendary. And #LegendsNeverDie.
I suppose it’s appropriate that I’m listening to 2Pac tonight. It was a brief while ago that I learned that a former coworker I knew passed away recently on Facebook. 😞😓
At our old job, I can honestly say some of my best times were spent working a couple of seats over from Kola. A kindhearted, intelligent and funny person who always brought positive energy to the workplace. On days the job was challenging, he was a bundle of fresh air.
When I reflect back on the few years we worked together at the call center here in Shaolin, those were fun times. I always felt his enthusiasm rubbed off in our row. True enough, that’s when I was most successful.
It wasn’t just about making money on commission though. There were interesting stories and intriguing dialog that made those days fun. You didn’t feel as stressed. You could do the job with a smile or laugh.
It is stunning that he’s no longer with us. As recent as last year, I caught up with Kola. As it turned out, we shared a common issue involving mental health. Anxiety and depression can make life very challenging. Especially over the last year. I still struggle with all the strict enforcement of masks because I have trouble breathing in the masks when the weather warms up. Mental Health Awareness is not being covered enough.
When he reached out to me, I was there to help out the best I could. It was good to catch up. He was very open and honest about some of the health problems he was dealing with. I just never thought a year later, I’d be writing this.
Kola wasn’t very old. I can still remember turning out for his 25th birthday. He was so appreciative even though I made it towards the end. That’s the kind of good soul he was. It honestly feels like a bad dream. The second coworker we’ve lost over six months. Both extremely nice and funny.
I just wish I had known. What if I’d kept in touch? It had been about a year since we last saw each other. Good chats while discussing our anxiety issues. Plus other stuff. Of course, maybe there was nothing I could’ve done. It just hits different. I’m heartbroken. My heart goes out to his family.
How I wish this didn’t happen. It seems like only the good ones go early. It’s crazy. Given my own personal demons, I learned long ago never to take any day for granted. Whether it’s good or bad, they all count the same. It MATTERS!
We are all day-to-day. Some days are better than others. I wish my friend the peace from the pain and suffering he experienced. But I also wish he was still here. I hurt for his family and friends. Those who knew him knew what a down to earth person he truly was. Authentic in every sense.
It hurts. I feel terrible. 😪 I want to dedicate another 2Pac song to conclude this tribute post.
For almost two months, The Pretty Reckless new album Death by Rock and Roll has been out. It’s a splendid album that combines all the elements that make rock music great.
The self-titled album track, “Death By Rock And Roll”, is a huge hit. But more than that, there isn’t a bad song on the most anticipated TPR release thanks to kick ass lead singer Taylor Momsen teasing a few of the songs on social media.
Whether you’ve heard the 12 song album on CD, vinyl or even in classic cassette thanks to Momsen creating an old school feel to it, it doesn’t disappoint. Of course, in today’s modernized world of technology with apps like Spotify, you can listen to the entire album on your Android or iPhone. I’m glad I have it saved.
One of my favorite songs is the very surreal, “Got So High.” A track that obviously addresses Momsen’s personal demons with substance abuse following the deaths of rock idol Chris Cornell and producer KatoKwandwala over a year apart between April 2017 and May 2018. During that time, she struggled with the losses of the Soundgarden/Audioslave legend they toured with and then the sudden loss of close friend Kwandwala.
It’s only natural to feel depressed when you lose people you’re very close to. Thankfully, Momsen recovered from her personal demons and was determined to finish the album with band mates Ben Phillips, Jamie Perkins and Mark Damon. At 27, she’s a very driven person with a powerful voice that can be felt in how she delivers the lyrics in The Pretty Reckless’ songs.
There’s plenty of raw emotion in “Got So High.” Even though it’s only a 3:20 track, you can feel exactly how Momsen feels on every word. That’s how strong it is. The way it all comes together with an acoustic sound that blends well with a familiar melody from grunge past. It is eerily similar in sound to MazzyStar when they had hit, “Fade Into You.” A comparison knowledgeable music observers recognized. That is sung by Hope Sandoval.
However, Momsen and her band are drawing on their challenging experiences. Cornell had one of the greatest voices in the music industry. It’s still hard to believe he’s been gone nearly four years after taking his own life following a performance in Detroit when TPR opened for him.
“That was the nail in the coffin for me. I threw my hands up in the air and kind of went ‘Yeah, I give up.’ I went down a very dark rabbit hole of depression and substance abuse and everything that comes with that.”
Taylor Momsen on the sudden loss of producer and close personal friend Kato Kwandwala. 😔 The lyrics are well delivered and it’s a song we can all identify with.
One, two, three
Turned out wasted, confused, complacent, I Lost my center, suppose I meant to hide
I, I, I, I, I got so high I, I, I, I got so high
Success showed somethin’, at the same time nothin’, I Thought I got it, but it seems I’ve lost it, I
I, I, I, I got so high I, I, I got so high
If I wanted to fly, I should have gone up in a plane If I wanted to fly I should have climbed up to the highest mountain top Now I’ve lost my brain, but I’m insane, so
I, I, I, I, I got so high I, I, I, I, I got so high I, I, I, I, I got so high I, I, I, I, I got so high
I was somethin’ but now I’m nothin’, I…
I like her candid honesty in the song where she references losing her brain.
“If I wanted to fly, I should have gone up in a plane. If I wanted to fly, I should have climbed up the highest mountain top.”
Pretty heavy stuff. Basically, Momsen is saying there are better ways to go than doing drugs. Or to get so high. It almost seems that she was at such a low point. I’m glad she got past it and worked even harder during the pandemic to put together a great rock album. On her Instagram, she released footage of the band shooting videos in NYC. There were plenty of cool moments caught on camera including that beautiful red gown she wore in hit song, “25.”
They had to do the shooting in one session due to COVID-19. Of course, everyone got tested and they wore masks when they had to. I can’t imagine what that was like. I’ve listened to interviews Momsen did from Maine where she was very vocal about mental health. She’s been front and center on the stigma attached to anxiety and depression. Something that hasn’t been covered enough over the past year.
It speaks to a level of maturity and growth that she’s having so much success this early into her career thar began after she left Gossip Girl. Momsen knew that it was music that captivated her. She was proven right.
The Pretty Reckless are a band to be reckoned with. With now a fourth successful album doing well, hopefully they’ll be able to tour soon. One can only hope.
HITTING BACK 