Rapper DMX has had a troubled life, to say the least. The Mount Vernon, New York, native, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has served his fair share of time behind bars and battled drug addiction, all while creating some of the greatest moments and songs in hip-hop history.
During a recent and extremely vulnerable interview with “People’s Party” with host Talib Kweli, uploaded to YouTube on Thursday, Nov. 5, the “We Right Here” rapper detailed his introduction to the rap game. DMX also revealed how his mentor, local rapper Ready Ron, tricked him into smoking crack cocaine when he was just a teenager.
“Everything in my life is blessed with a curse,” the 49-year-old explained. “And the curse aspect of it was I didn’t smoke cigarettes, I didn’t smoke weed, I didn’t do anything, 14 years old.”
DMX recalled being at a friend’s birthday party and gifting his friend with some money. “He came back with a blunt rolled up. And as I’m counting the money, he passed the blunt,” DMX said. The rapper said at first he rejected the offer. The joint made its round amongst the friends and eventually got back to DMX via Ready Ron when he decided to take a hit. DMX later found out that what they had been smoking was laced with crack.
“I was no longer focused on the money. I’ve never felt like this. It just f—cked me up,” the rapper explained. Soon after, the “Cradle 2 the Grave” star became overwhelmed by emotions as he tried to speak on that changing moment in his life. “Why would you do that to a child,” DMX questioned. He continued, “He know how I looked up to him. Why would you do that to somebody who looks up to you?”
The rapper then paused, and Talib told him to take his time. After taking a moment to collect himself, the “Romeo Must Die” star simply stated, “A monster was born. That monster was born.”
The full interview is slated to publish on Monday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. Check out the preview clip with DMX and Talib Kweli down below.
