【コラム】 DMX：吠える魂 ― 暴力と祈りのはざまで

Column en Eastcoast Hihop Hiphop Rap

30 Oct 2025

DMX: Howling Soul - Between Violence and Prayer

Text: mmr｜Theme: Deciphering DMX’s rap style, lyrics, and human nature full of contradictions.A record of a soul that continued to burn between violence and prayer, anger and relief.

“The hardest thing is loving someone who don’t love themselves.” ―DMX

In the late 1990s, at a time when hip-hop was becoming a symbol of glamorous success, DMX appeared with a voice that sounded like it was spitting blood. It was a voice that went beyond the “reality of the streets” and cried out human pain and prayers.

I. Birth of Roar: The existence of DMX

Earl Simmons, also known as DMX (Dark Man X). Born in Yonkers, New York, he grew up amid domestic violence and poverty.His childhood was deeply traumatic, and he spent his life going back and forth between juvenile detention centers and church. At this point, he had already formed a ``personality in which God and the devil coexist’’.

His raps consist of a barking dog voice, a heavy, cutting beat, and a prayer-like bridge. It was like preaching in church and fighting in the streets at the same time.

II. Street Pastor: Lyric Structure and Vocabulary

DMX’s lyrics are not just a show of violence, but a story of sin and redemption.

1. Double structure

His signature songs “Slippin’” and “The Convo” depict conversations with God. There is often a structure in which they talk to their inner demons and ask God for forgiveness.

“I’m slippin, I’m fallin, I can’t get up.” ― Slippin’ (1998)

2. Animal metaphor

DMX often refers to himself as “dog”. It is a symbol of violence, and at the same time indicates loyalty, solitude, and wildness. The dog was the only companion he could trust, and the object of his prayers.

“I trust dogs more than humans.” ― DMX interview, 2003

III. Style: Bark and Performativity

1. The deadly weapon of voice

DMX’s voice is as vivid as a subwoofer roar. His rapping was more about the instantaneous impact of his vocalizations than his flow.

The bass-driven “Grr!” and “Arf!” dominated the rhythm of the track itself.

2. Tempo and structure

His songs often subvert the normal 16-bar structure. The flow suddenly breaks and comes back again.This is because “emotional rhythm” was given top priority.

3. Performance

At live performances, it was not uncommon for audience members to cry during DMX’s prayers. When he yelled, “Lord, give me a sign!,” he sounded more like a preacher than a rapper.

IV. Ruff Ryders and Runaway Success

In 1998, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” was released. DMX quickly reached number one in the US, and went on to set an unprecedented record of five consecutive albums at number one on Billboard.

timeline title DMX Major works and historical background 1998 : "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" released / No. 1 in the US with debut work 1998 : "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" / No. 1 again after just 7 months 1999 : "And Then There Was X" / 'Party Up' becomes a club anthem 2001 : "The Great Depression" / Introspective tone and religiosity strengthened 2003 : "Grand Champ" / The pinnacle of success and mental collapse

The ``motorcycle culture x street mythology’’ he created with the Ruff Ryders crew (Swizz Beatz, Eve, The LOX, etc.) completely redefined the East Coast scene at the time. However, behind the scenes, DMX’s heart was falling apart between his faith and drug addiction.

V. Forms of Prayer: Faith and Self-Dialogue

Almost every DMX album includes a ``Prayer’’ track. This is his self-purification ritual, indicating that the music is “an extension of prayer.”

“I come to you hungry and tired, you give me food and let me sleep.” ― Prayer III, 1999

For him, God was not a symbol of salvation,'' but anexistence that gives trials.’’ His faith is not one of forgiveness but faith in battle.

VI. Human DMX: Anecdotes and Essence

1. A man sleeping with a dog

DMX has rescued homeless dogs and lived with them on the streets. He also brought his dog with him on tour, saying, ``Dogs have pure souls.’’

2. Free Sermon

After tours, he often left the audience on stage to pray in tears. That time wasn’t entertainment, it was ceremony.

3. Chain of law and drugs

Has been arrested dozens of times.However, most of this is the result of drug addiction and emotional trauma, and he himself says, ``My body broke before my mind died.’’

VII. Lyric Analysis: Light in the Violence

Song title	Theme	Characteristic lyrics	Interpretation
Ruff Ryders’ Anthem	Conflict and unity	“Stop, drop, shut ‘em down open up shop!”	Coexistence of aggression and street discipline
Slippin’	Introspection and rebirth	“See, to live is to suffer, but to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.”	Musicalization of Nietzsche’s philosophy of suffering
Lord Give Me a Sign	Faith/Salvation	“I really need to talk to you Lord.”	A desperate call to God
Who We Be	Social awareness	“The pain, the struggle, the friends, the trouble.”	The height of rhythmic catalog poetry

VIII. DMX and the Era: Impact since the 2000s

DMX’s arrival brought a different kind of ``emotional realism’’ than Jay-Z or Nas. Later, Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar adopted structures that talked about “faith and suffering” as an extension of DMX.

The reflective structure of Kendrick Lamar’s ``DAMN.’’
Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks” religious hook
Pop Smoke’s roaring vocals

Both inherit the “intersection of anger and prayer” that DMX opened.

IX. The Last Prayer - Death and Aftermath

In April 2021, DMX passed away due to a drug overdose.Passed away at age 50. His death was perceived by many fans as the end of the “Unsaved Prophet.”

However, his prayers remained even after death. At the final stage, he tearfully said:

“When you fall, get back up. I’m proof that God ain’t done with you yet.”

Those words still serve as a self-forgiveness mantra for many young people today.

X. Conclusion: Mythical structure called DMX

DMX’s story is more than just a hip-hop biography. It was a modern religious drama and a myth about the coexistence of violence and prayer.

*His “roar” is not anger, but a cry to prove his existence** *His “prayer” is not salvation but continuation of the battle

His “dog” is a symbol of loyalty and solitude

DMX’s voice no longer exists in this world. But his spirit still screams “Arf! Arf!” in the pre-dawn speakers.

DMX chronology (main activities and events)

timeline title DMX Chronology (1970–2021) 1970: Born in Yonkers, New York 1984: Escaping from domestic violence and living on the streets 1991: Met Ruff Ryders and started rapping seriously 1998: Major debut with "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot", No. 1 in the US 1999: “And Then There Was X” released, “Party Up” a hit 2001: Publication of autobiographical work “The Great Depression” 2003: “Grand Champ” achieves consecutive number one spot on Billboard 2006: Autobiography “E.A.R.L.” published 2010: Re-arrested, sentenced to prison, and rehabilitated repeatedly 2019 : Resumed touring activities again 2021: Died of heart attack (age 50)

Reference work discography

Release year	Title	Notes	Link
1998	It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot	Debut work/Street Roar	Amazon
1998	Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood	Intersection of blood and faith	Amazon
1999	…And Then There Was X	Blockbuster/“Party Up” included	Amazon
2001	The Great Depression	Turning point in reflective tone	Amazon
2003	Grand Champ	The pinnacle of success and the collapse of the spirit	Amazon

Appendix: Sound structure analysis (relationship between beat and voice)

graph LR A[Swizz Beatz's beat] --> B(aggressive drums) B --> C [DMX's roaring vocals] C --> D{Apex of emotion} D -->|Explosion| E["Break like “Arf! Arf!”"] D -->|Silence| F[Prayer Monologue]

Final Chapter: Barking Prayer

DMX’s music is not a street testimony'' but arecord of the soul.’’ That cry is the very truth of people who lived their lives clinging to their faith without giving in to violence.