Salute To X The Rapper DMX

Mic for X; Tribute to the late rapper DMX drawing in graphite and drawing pencil. 2021

High school years during the late 1990s into the early 2000s for myself and others coming up in the era is a memory hearing energized music from the Ruff Ryders crew including DMX, philly’s Eve, The Lox and Swizz Beatz. Party Up (1999) was a song everyone regardless of age or race liked to hear. The song got play at block parties, school dances including proms to weddings. I can recall my own father trying to be hip to DMX rapping along to the lyrics of his song Ruff Ryders anthem (1998) while in the car, and a teenage me loudly demanding for him to stop. Hip hop known as rap was becoming an industry with selling of clothing line Fubu inspired by the fashion of the music to jewelry worn by rappers. Though the industry was growing, it received as it had for years criticism from church groups to activist calling for censorship over lyrics seen to glorify violence and disrespect of women. Eminem a white male rapper from Detroit, was scrutinized for his music referencing the Columbine School Shooting and attacks of those within the LGBT community voicing his disapproval over gay marriage. Those in support of hip hop and rappers themselves continue to defend hip hop claiming they never intend to disrespect women and negatively influence the youth to become violent where targeting mature audiences and expressing free speech. The Ruff Ryders music played more through the radio drawing large fan base and DMX was the artist known as the hype man with songs livening crowds. Music from hip hop in particularly of the Ruff Ryders crew was a voice for those underprivilege with music touching on issues of domestic violence, rising homicides and incarceration in urban communities. People found rappers like DMX to be relatable over their representations as artist coming from the communities they were raised and the experiences they had and how they reached the success they attained. It is the reason hip hop is seen to change music where artist like him did not become afraid to show who they are and not meet industries standards in changing their persona to appeal to audiences. X known as DMX is remembered for his vocalness over his rough childhood and his drug addiction. Many have been uplifted by him. Like many, I felt sympathy for him hearing him share his story on the reality television series Couple’s Therapy on VH1 when he appeared alongside his wife Tashera Simmons. The episode led us to get to know him more. We had seen his struggles and those who are forever fans still supported him. The piece drawn in graphite and drawing pencils of the microphone titles Mic for X; tribute to the late DMX and Ruff Ryder Salute honors him and his voice he used over the mic like the rappers who came before and after him. We will remember him as the voice for youth unheard. Rip DMX!

Ruff Ryders Salute drawing in graphite and drawing pencil. 2021