Bill Text: NY J00631 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Mourning the untimely death of DMX, legendary New York rap icon and talented actor

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-20)

Status: (Passed) 2021-04-20 - ADOPTED [J00631 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J00631-Introduced.html

Senate Resolution No. 631

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

        MOURNING  the untimely death of DMX, legendary New
        York rap icon and talented actor

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor  and  pay
tribute  to those musical geniuses whose commitment and creative talents
have contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment  of  their
community and the entire State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  profound  sorrow  and  deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of DMX, noting the significance  of
his inspired life and accomplishments; and

  WHEREAS,  Earl  "DMX"  Simmons,  a  snarling  yet soulful rapper who
dominated the Billboard charts, releasing  a  string  of  No.  1  albums
reflecting  his  gritty  past  and  featuring  his  renowned  gruff  and
unmistakable lyrical style, died on Friday,  April  9,  2021,  in  White
Plains, New York, at the age of 50; and

  WHEREAS,  Born  on December 18, 1970 in Mount Vernon, New York, Earl
Simmons was the first and only child of Arnett Simmons and  Joe  Barker;
he  and his family settled into the School Street Houses in Yonkers, New
York, when he was five years old; and

  WHEREAS, In the late 1980s, Earl Simmons began his music  career  on
the  streets  of  Yonkers, performing as a beatboxer with a local rapper
named Ready Ron before making a name for himself as a battle  rapper  in
the  early  1990s; it was during this time that he chose the name "DMX",
which came from an instrument  he  had  used  at  the  boys'  home,  the
Oberheim  DMX  drum  machine; it was also later interpreted as "Dark Man
X"; and

  WHEREAS, DMX rose to prominence in the  late  1990s  with  the  Ruff
Ryders;  early  on,  his mixtapes helped build his popularity around New
York City, and he began  being  featured  on  other  rappers'  releases,
including  LL  Cool  J's 1991 single "4, 3, 2, 1"; he was also on Mase's
"24 Hrs. to Live" and the Lox's "Money, Power, Respect"; and

  WHEREAS, By the late 1990s, DMX had a recording  contract  with  Def
Jam  Records and quickly became the label's premier standout artist; his
raspy growl of a voice was distinctive and immediately  recognizable  in
households worldwide; and

  WHEREAS,  DMX  struck  gold  in  1998 by releasing two chart-topping
albums in the same year; he barked over the chorus of "Get at  Me  Dog,"
the  breakout  single from his debut album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot,"
which was released on May 12, 1998, and entered the Billboard  chart  at
No.  1  as  the album sold a quarter-million copies in its opening week;
his second album, "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,"  was  released
on December 22, 1998, and was an even bigger commercial success, selling
670,000 copies in its opening week; and

  WHEREAS,  DMX  rapped  with  an  explosive cadence on his 1999 album
"...And Then There Was X," which went multi-platinum off the success  of

the monumental singles "Party Up" and "What's My Name"; furthermore, the
raw  "Ruff  Ryders' Anthem" served as a tribute to his record label, and
he brought a more introspective, brooding delivery on "Damien," a  story
about making a murderous bargain with a demonic benefactor; and

  WHEREAS,  DMX  titled a 2001 album "The Great Depression," with many
of his most swaggering songs conveying hints  of  lingering  trauma;  he
went  on to release several more albums over the years, including "Grand
Champ" in 2003, and "Undisputed" in 2012; although his music  was  often
menacing  and  dark, it was also infused with Christian spirituality and
he regularly ended his concerts with a prayer; and

  WHEREAS, Known for his electrifying concerts  and  remarkable  stage
presence,  DMX was truly a man of singular distinction, exercising sheer
force of will to pull the spotlight down on himself  and  demanding  the
crowd's attention; and

  WHEREAS,  In addition to his extraordinary music career, DMX starred
with rappers Nas and Method Man in Hype Williams's 1998  film,  "Belly";
he  appeared in the 2000 action movie, "Romeo Must Die" alongside Jet Li
and Aaliyah, starred with Steven Seagal in the 2001  action  film  "Exit
Wounds,"  and  BET  provided a closer look at his personal life with the
2006 reality series "DMX: Soul of a Man"; and

  WHEREAS, Overcoming much adversity, DMX took the pain from his bleak
childhood and the impact it had on his  life  to  not  only  inform  his
music, but to write his memoir, E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX; and

  WHEREAS,  Throughout  an  extraordinary  career which traversed more
than three decades, DMX sold millions  of  records  and  was  the  first
musician  to  have  his  first  five albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard
chart; and

  WHEREAS, The recipient of numerous awards  and  accolades,  DMX  was
nominated  for  Grammy  Awards  in  2001  for  Best Rap Solo Performance
("Party Up") and Best Rap Album ("...And Then There Was X");  he  earned
another Grammy nomination the following year for his single "Who We Be,"
and he won the American Music Awards' Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artists Award
two years in a row, in 2000 and 2001; and

  WHEREAS,  Even  after  achieving  world-renowned  success, DMX never
forgot where  he  came  from;  he  donated  immeasurable  funds  to  the
Nepperhan  Community  Center  in  Yonkers  to  support  its programs and
basketball tournaments, as well as Platinum CD's to inspire local youth;
he also performed at Woodstock 99 and the  Westchester  County  Center's
first concert in 2006 alongside Swizz Beatz and the Lox; and

  WHEREAS, A man of colossal talent, DMX was a brilliant artist and an
inspiration  to  millions  around the world; his message of triumph over
struggle, his search for the light out of darkness, and his  pursuit  of
truth and grace brought us all closer to our own humanity; and

  WHEREAS,  DMX  was  nothing less than a giant; his dedication to his
music leaves an indelible legacy of inspiration which will  long  endure
the  passage  of  time  and  will  remain  as a comforting memory to his
family, friends and countless fans; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
mourn  the  untimely  death  of DMX, legendary New York rap icon, and to
express its deepest condolences to his family; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of DMX.
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