Earl adapted the name DMX from an early drum machine called the Oberheim DMX, he also claims it stands for “Dark Man X”. DMX got his start in hip hop mainly beat boxing for other local rappers, not until he had to do a stint in a group home did he really begin to hone his rapping skills. DMX has spent his successful rap career in and out of jail. Between 1994 and 2007, DMX has been arrested and charged with a wide range of crimes from driving with a suspended license to cocaine possession and assault.

DMX has acted in several movies, including Belly, Romeo Must Die, Cradle to the Grave, Exit Wounds, and Never die alone.