DMX

DMX is a rapper and an actor who has sold over 23 million albums worldwide. His real name is Earl Simmons and he was born on December 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland. Coming from a troubled home and after spending many occasions in state care, he got started in hip-hop at a young age as a deejay. He later started freestyling and got his name from the digital drum machine byt he same name. The initials are also used to refer to Dark Man X, his alterego.http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/dmx/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

After spending a few years in prison on a drug possession charge, DMX returned to the scene in the late nineties, guesting on several rap singles, including "4,3,2,1" by LL Cool J and "Money, Power, Respect" by The Lox. In 1998, he released his first studio album "It's Dark and Hell is Hot which debuted at number one on the pop charts, propelled by the strength of the single "Get At Me Dog". The album was produced by Swizz Beatz and sold over 4 million copies.http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/dmx/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

He followed up his first album with a second six months later entitled "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood", which went triple platinum. In 1999 the rap crew that he helped to found, The Ruff Ryders, released a compilation album featuring him that also debuted at number one. Toward the end of the year, his third studio album "And Then There Was X" was released and also debuted at number one. His fourth effort "The Great Depression", released in 2001, was yet another number one debut for X, cementing him as one of the best selling rap artists of the decade. http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/dmx/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

Despite his lyrical talent and success, DMX has had several run-ins with the law. He has been addicted to crack cocaine for years and has been arrested multiple times for crimes such as drug possession and assault. He was later cleared of the assault charges, but his drug problems have continued.http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/dmx/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd

In 2008, the rapper was arrested in Florida and extradited to Arizona where he was charged with drug possession, identity theft and animal cruelty.http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1600994/20081209/dmx.jhtml On December 30, he pleaded guilty to all the charges as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced to at least 90 days in prison on January 30, 2009.http://www.theinsider.com/news/1606062_Rapper_DMX_sentenced_to_90_days_for_felonies

While in jail, the rapper gave a television interview to a local TV station in Phoenix. He was clean and sober and expressed his desire to be a pastor upon his release. Despite his intentions, he later admitted to using cocaine again and was rearrested in March 2010.http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/11/rapper-dmx-jailed-violating-probation A judge sentenced him to six months in prison and treatment for mental health issues.http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1634088/20100317/dmx.jhtml

• 1998: It's Dark and Hell Is Hothttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 1998: Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Bloodhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 1999: ...And Then There Was Xhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2001: The Great Depressionhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2003: Grand Champhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2006: Year of the Dog...Againhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2008: Walk with Me Nowhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2008: You'll Fly with Mehttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/

• 1998: Belly"http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2000: Romeo Must Diehttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2001: Exit Woundshttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2003: Cradle 2 the Gravehttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2004: Never Die Alonehttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2006: DMX: Soul of a Man (TV)http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2007: Death Tollhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/
• 2008: Last Hourhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm0229422/