Real Name: Earl Simmons
A.K.A.: DMX, Dark Man, X
Born: December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland
Raised: Yonkers, New York

 A Yonkers MC who debuted with home-town friends the Lox on a DJ Clue mix-tape, DMX hit the big time in 1998 when his single "Get at Me Dog" became a club and radio smash. The rapper had first appeared in an "Unsigned Hype" column by The Source back in 1991; he was later signed to Columbia, but the deal fell through before recording had even begun. DMX guested on tracks by L.L. Cool J, Mase and Mic Geronimo (among others), and then signed to Def Jam in 1997. DMX's debut album It's Dark & Hell Is Hot was released in May 1998. Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood followed later that same year.

-John Bush, All-Music Guide