DMX Tears Up Speaking About His Various Personalities: "I Don't Talk About Them"

BY Erika Marie 79.0K Views
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DMX, Mental Health, Multiple Personalities, Ruff Ryders Chronicles
His ex-wife explained the rapper is living with "Earl," "DMX," and "X."

He's endured much during his 49 years on this earth, but DMX has persevered. He was physically abused by his mother and her boyfriends as a child, he was kicked out of school and sent to a boy's home, he wandered the streets as a teen, and as an adult, he struggled with addiction and incarceration. No matter his ups and downs, DMX is a talented artist that hip hop fans have continued to support, and during his appearance on the Ruff Ryders Chronicles documentary, the rapper discussed having various personalities that have helped him throughout his life.

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In an interview segment, the person behind the camera asked DMX if there were parts of himself that helped him cope. Before she was able to finish her question, DMX quickly answered "yes." He added, "They're different things... There's a few things, a few people in me and they get me through life." The rapper was asked what he would want the public to know about those different parts of himself. "I wouldn't want anyone to know anything," he replied.

"I don't talk about them," added DMX. "You already got me talking about them. Nope." Elsewhere in the documentary, DMX's ex-wife Tashera Simmons suggested that "Earl," the rapper's real name, is the child that was there before his father left and his mother "didn't know how to handle him." The angry persona of "X" was created "to protect Earl." The entertainer is "DMX" who also looks out for "Earl," but he's "much nicer."

"They're there to get me through life," DMX said before tearing up. "I don't know if I made 'em or if God gave 'em to me, or maybe circumstances and situations did." Check out the clip below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.