DMX Net Worth

DMX net worth: DMX was a New York–born rap artist and actor who had a net worth of negative $1 million at the time of his death. After the release of his debut album in 1998, he produced seven studio albums and appeared in a number of films.

Unfortunately, in the last decade of his life DMX struggled personally, financially and legally. He has been incarcerated a number of times. In 2013 he declared bankruptcy listing just $50,000 in assets and between $1 million and $10 million worth of liabilities. In 2017 he was charged with 14 counts of tax fraud that landed him a 1-year jail sentence and in debt to the tune of $2.3 million. More details on these struggles later in this article.

Tragically, DMX died on April 9, 2021 at the age of 50 after suffering from complications related to a drug overdose.

Early life

Earl Simmons—known as DMX professionally—was born on December 18, 1970 in Mount Vernon, New York. He was raised by his mother, Arnett Simmons, who gave birth to him when she was 19 years old.

When Simmons was five years old, his family relocated to Yonkers, New York. He was brought up in the Jehovah’s Witness community and had a difficult childhood. He was abused by his mother and her boyfriends.

Simmons was kicked out of school in fifth grade and he was sent to the Julia Dyckman Andrus Children’s Home for more than a year. He returned to another boys’ home years later as a teenager.

It was at this time that Simmons began writing hip-hop music and performing for his friends. Simmons eventually met local rapper Ready Ron. He admired Simmons’ beatboxing skills and the two became partners. Simmons then assumed the name “DMX,” which was inspired by an instrument—the Oberheim DMX drum machine—he would play at the boys’ home. (Later, the pseudonym would also interpreted as “Dark Man X.”)

Success

DMX’s rap career took off in the late 1990s. His debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), was met with both critical acclaim and commercial success, and sold 251,000 copies within its first week. To date, the album has sold more than five million copies.

His best-selling album, …And Then There Was X (1999), came just one year later on December 21, 1999. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified six-times Platinum. Among the popular tracks on the album is “Party Up (Up in Here),” one of DMX’s biggest hit singles and his first Top Ten hit on the R&B charts.

His other popular singles include “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” (1998), “What’s My Name?” (1999), “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” (2003), and “Where the Hood At?” (2003).

In total, DMX has released seven studio albums. His most recent album is Undisputed, which was released on September 11, 2012. The album received mixed reviews from music critics, and it debuted at number 19 on the Billboard 200, selling 17,000 copies. Over the course of his career, DMX has sold over 70 million albums worldwide to date.

DMX won American Music Awards in 2000 and 2001 for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist. He has also been nominated for three Grammy Awards and five MTV Music Video Awards.

In addition to his rap career, DMX also has starred or played supporting roles in eight films. He has acted in several direct-to-DVD movies and made a cameo in the film Top Five in 2014. In 2002, DMX released his autobiography, entitled E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.