Earl Simmons, known to the world as rapper, songwriter, and actor DMX, passed away last week at the age of 50
DMX was an authentic man and fearless rapper, his experiences forged by a difficult upbringing in Yonkers, New York. Batling through controversy, incarceration, and addiction, DMX fought hard and showed out like the aggression in his music; he was determined, humble, hopeful, and charismatic. DMX was never a persona, a bit, or a character – he was Earl, flaws and all. His iconic growl and bark, the rasping machine gun spit of his lyrics, his love for people and neighborhood, his faith and perseverance, always stood out despite the demons that pinioned him (and never let him go). The legacy DMX leaves for musical contemporaries (his first five studio albums all went #1), complete strangers, and surprisingly, alabaster middle-aged Australians,...