Local personalities pay homage to legendary rapper DMX

UNWRAP.ONLINEAfter reports of legendary rapper Earl Simmons’ death in a New York hospital today, tributes poured in from all over the world celebrating the life of a man who impacted entire generations. Simmons, known by his stage name DMX, first rose to prominence in the early 1990s as part of hip-hop collective Ruff Ryders, before releasing his debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot in 1998.

Local personalities Sunny Boy, NSK and PhredGot1 were among those who expressed their dismay at the iconic rapper’s untimely death on social media. “Rest in Power King. You changed the game and I learned a lot from you musically, thank you,” Sunny Boy wrote on his Instagram.

NSK, meanwhile, described how beloved DMX was in his hometown of Walvisbay in the early 2000s.

“There was this dude who would drive around in Kuisebmund with a bakkie and play X’s music excruciatingly loud. At the time I had no idea who DMX was or his music,” NSK recounts. “My late brother explained to me that it’s DMX with the Ruff Ryders. So, what does NSK do? NSK writes a letter to NBC radio. NSK requests for DMX. When the presenter read out my request and started playing it. I started recording the song on a cassette,” he says.

He adds that DMX was important for every black kid around the world who grew up in tough circumstances. “DMX embodied us. We are rough because of our circumstances, but we are raised with proper values. That was DMX. DMX may have been rough, but the guy had incredible humility, compassion and love for the next human being. His music reflected exactly that. His very public meltdowns were cognisant of the fact that he knew very well that he holds the weight of every black kid around the world on his shoulders and the pressure would get to him. Not that he was weak, but because he was human,” NSK says.

“Bringing it back home, his style inspired musicians around southern Africa. [First] Mapaputsi, who then inadvertently inspired The Dogg. So, DMX was important. He stood out in an era that had Tupac, Biggy, Jay-Z and Nas shining. May he rest well,” the musician says.

DMX died at the age of 50, leaving a legacy that touched the world in more than one way.

"We are deeply saddened to announce today that our loved one, DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, passed away at 50 years old at White Plains Hospital with his family by his side, after being placed on life support for the past few days," a statement from the rapper’s family read in part.

DMX is survived by 15 children.