Inquiries into DMX’s net worth suddenly became a hot trend following his demise on April 9, 2021. The news of his death was announced on the same day as that of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, which created a double shocking impact around the world. Amidst mourning and tributes to the famous rapper, Americans are curious about the state of his assets or how rich the rapper is right now. It is no secret that DMX was in some form of financial crisis followed by extensive hospitalization in multiple attempts to save his life.
Hence, we delve into finding what DMX’s net worth is as of the time of his death, his assets as well as his legacy.
Biography
Earl Simmons popularly known as DMX, was an acclaimed rapper, actor, songwriter and record producer with over 74 million album sales worldwide. He was born on December 18, 1970, at Mount Vernon, New York to young parents. His father, Joe Baker was 18 while his mother was 19 when they gave birth to him. He has an older sister, Bonita – with a two-year gap in their age, and also a younger sister, Shayla.
DMX experienced a traumatic childhood as a result of the constant beating he received from her mother and his boyfriends. He lost teeth and had numerous cuts on his body. His father had abandoned him at that time and had gone off to Philadelphia in pursuit of his watercolor painting career leaving him and his siblings in the care of his mother. Thus DMX grew up in a violent environment and it sort of influenced his life.
His education was not a smooth journey as he was expelled from school and sent to the Julia Dyckman Andrus Children’s home after his 5th grade. His violent nature made him unfit for the classroom because he was a problematic child and a nuisance to both the teachers and his fellow students. His stay at the home ended when he attempted to burn the school down and was promptly arrested for arson.
Subsequently, DMX began to live on the streets in order to escape his mother’s abuse. He was just 14 at the time and found solace in befriending stray dogs and sleeping in Salvation Army Clothing bins. However, he was again sent to a group home by his mother where he developed a love for hip hop music and his music was praised by other students.
Encouraged and applauded by his friends and teacher, young Earl Simmons continued to write music which he performed for his friends. At last, there appeared to be a silver lining in the clouds for the troubled youth when he met Ready Ron a local rapper who was impressed by his music and asked for his partnership. He adopted the name “DMX” from the instrument he used to play at the boys’ home, called the Oberheim DMX drum Machine later known as the “Dark Man X”.
DMX Music Career
DMX had the inspiration to write music during his period of incarceration; he was first sent to prison at 14, for stealing a dog. He had earlier enrolled at the Yonkers Middle High School but learning was not a priority for him. He was arrested yet again in 1988 for carjacking but he met K-Solo and devoted his free time in prison to writing lyrics. Upon his release, he began producing his mixtape and sold them on street corners.
The New Yorker was later signed to Columbia Records in 1992 and they released his debut single “Born Loser” followed by a second single, “Make a Move” in 1994. Four years later and due to the success of the song, DMX released his debut major-label single, “Get at Me Dog” in 1998. His album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” made it to the Billboard 200 and sold over 5 million copies.
DMX Success Train
DMX continued his successful career with the release of his second album, “Flesh of my Flesh, Blood of my Blood” which also debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. As a matter of fact, three of his subsequent albums also attained the same feat thus making him the only artist in music history to release five consecutive albums that debuted at #1 on the Billboard top 200.
In addition to that, the rapper dropped his Bestselling album “And then there was X” in 1999 and it was quickly followed by his fourth and fifth studio album “The Great Depression” and the “Grand Champion” respectively.
The Great Depression was certified six-times platinum. Included in the album is the popular track “Party up (Up in Here) which remains one of DMX’s biggest hit singles to date.
Furthermore, he released his seventh studio album titled “Undisputed” in 2012. He has other popular singles which include “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” (1998) and “What’s My Name?” (1999).
He has won some recognition for himself such as the winner of the American Music Awards, Favorite Rap/ Hip-Hop Artist in 2000 and 2001. He is also a three-time Grammy Award Nominee and a seven-time MTV Music Video Award Nominee.
Besides his musical prowess, DMX was also a very talented actor and has appeared in several movies such as Romeo Must Die (2000) alongside Jet Li and late Aliyah, Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), Never Die Alone (2004) among others. He has an Autobiography written in 2002 and entitled, E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.
See Also: Nipsey Hussle Kids, Parents and Quick Facts About the Rapper
DMX Net Worth
DMX net worth was definitely on the negative at the time of his demise, despite the number of album sales and the successes recorded. He did make millions during his lifetime, however, reports indicate that the rapper had a -$10 million net worth presently.
This could be explained from way back in 2008 when he began to experience a financial crisis. It was revealed that he had fathered two children outside his marriage and was forced to pay $1.5 million in child support to their mother Monique Wayne.
Recall that DMX married his childhood friend, Tashera Simmons in 1999 and they had four children before their divorce in 2010. He had some other children from his extramarital relationships bringing the total number of kids to 15. This surely put a strain on his finances and he was even arrested once for failing to pay $400,000 in child support and sentenced to six months in jail.
Furthermore, he had other legal troubles from multiple arrests on tax evasion, possession of illegal drugs and weapons, animal cruelty, speeding, etc.
All of these resulted in DMX filing for Bankruptcy three times. The first time, his filing was challenged and dismissed by the U.S Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.
Death
On April 2, 2021, the world woke up to the news of the rapper being sent to the White Plains Hospital, following a heart attack from a possible drug overdose. He was placed on life support and was later declared to be in a Vegetative state by his former manager, Nakia Walker. Later on, his manager Steve Rifkind announced that DMX was comatose and tests would be conducted to determine his brain’s functionality. Sadly, the admiral rapper breathed his last on April 9, 2021.
His family described him as a warrior who fought to the end.
