DMX: the real meaning behind the late rapper’s odd stage name
DMX was a mainstay in the music industry for decades, and his prime years were the 1990s and early 2000s. He was actually present for years on the underground in New York before he became a worldwide phenomenon, and he began his graft in the late 1980s.
In fact, DMX’s journey actually began in Yonkers and slowly but surely began entering New York City. He started under Ruff Ryders Entertainment and, before long, with so much buzz around his name, was landing collaborations with big-ticket MCs, including Jay-Z, Ja Rule, LL Cool J and Mase.
The ‘Get At Me Dog’ rhymer eventually signed with Def Jam in 1998, and from there, he was unstoppable. With the release of It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot, DMX shot to the top of the charts, and the rest was history.
The groundbreaking project included anthems such as ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem,’ ‘Stop Being Greedy,’ and ‘How’s It Goin’ Down.’ Although his name was known, its origins were not of much importance to people. However, his moniker’s beginnings are interesting.
The name DMX is explained in his autobiography E.A.R.L., in which the emcee explains that the authorities sent him to a home after serious physical and emotional abuse from his mother, and it was here where he began his musical journey.
While living in this group home, he began bonding with other musically inclined kids, some of whom made beats. In the late ’80s, the Oberheim DMX was a popular drum machine with producers, and the ‘Slippin’ lyricist remembered this.
For the majority of his childhood, the late star, who grew up in a deprived area of Yonkers alongside members of The LOX, was always involved in petty crime and was definitely not a stranger to drugs. His surroundings and environment, understandably, gave him a negative outlook on life, and as such, when he began rapping, he wanted to include the word “dark” in his stage name.
That said, in the following years, he interpreted the moniker as “Dark Man X.” Still, it was too long for him and unlike other MCs from his area, he wanted letters in his name like Jay-Z, P Diddy, and the Notorious B.I.G. had. As such, he shortened “Dark Man X” to the iconic moniker we all know and love.
DMX kept his name for the entirety of his career. However, in 2006, when he had a spiritual awakening, he was prompted to consider a name change. During an interview with MTV Europe, the Grand Champ creator unveiled that he wasn’t sure about the “Dark Man” moniker.
Speaking to the outlet, the late emcee detailed how he feared he might attract bad vibes with the negative-sounding title, explaining, “I think I am going to have to change that soon for spiritual reasons.”
He continued, “It’s just the whole ‘Dark Man’ thing. If you look at it from a spiritual point of view, the Bible teaches us we can speak things into existence. And Dark Man may not be the best name for me.”
The ‘Where The Hood At’ rhymer tragically passed away in 2021, but he was well-known for being a highly religious person who even read prayers after his concerts and gave sermons to the crowd.