A celebration of the life of DMX took place in a way like no other with a memorial service in New York.
Yonkers-born DMX suffered a catastrophic cardiac arrest that left his brain without oxygen for over 30 minutes. As a result, people close to the rapper described him in a “Vegetative state” and with no brain function. A week later, DMX succumbed to his condition at White Plains Hospital and died on April 9, aged Fifty.
A memorial service took place at the Barclays Center on Friday to rejoice and remember the life of DMX. A black monster truck with the words “Long live DMX” escorted the red casket through the streets of New York. Members of his Ruff Ryders label closely followed the truck including hundreds of motorbikes. Due to COVID regulations, fans weren’t able to attend the ceremony. However, many gathered outside the Barclays center to pay their respects and show support. Outside stood a large white X floral arrangement while the front of the building had a quote from the song Fame. Displayed at a height it read: “We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded.”
Close family and friends of DMX, including fiancee Desiree Lindstrom and his fifteen children, attended the memorial. The legendary rapper’s eldest son, Xavier Simmons, described his father as a “king” and an “icon”. He also credited him for deepening his ability to love. His daughter, Sonovah Junior, took the microphone and rapped one of her father’s songs, Slippin’, but with personalized lyrics. “I never give up, I give it all/‘Cause I know I’m big, even though I look small/Lookin’ at my daddy’s picture on the wall. My brothers and sisters, we all stand together/Throw up the X, daddy forever.”
Tashera Simmons, DMX’s ex-wife, also gave an emotional speech. “Everything he did, he did for you all. He always wanted to please you. He always wanted to give you his best show. What he wants you to do is love Jesus the same way he did. Love his babies. Love his family.”
Eve, known as the First Lady of the Ruff Ryders, shared a few words. “I am seriously the luckiest, luckiest woman in the world to have been adopted by the Ruff Ryders. But to have known DMX the way that I knew him as a man, a father, a friend. This is so hard y’all. What I pray, what I hope, I pray to God, I pray to our angels, our ancestors, that his journey was smooth. I know that he will rest in power. Rest in love, but most of all he feel rest in peace.”
Others in attendance who paid tribute to DMX were Nas and Swizz Beatz, with Swizz making a truthful statement. Swizz Beatz was one of DMX’s closest friends. He closed the service with his emotional speech. He did so in a manner that he took aim at the late rapper’s fake friends. Starting by saying that he can’t describe the pain of losing his friend, he wished that people showed him love and support while he was living. He said: “I just wish all these people showed up for him when he was here. You got thousands of people claiming who they are and tickets and things like that. This man needed everybody. He didn’t need everybody when he’s not here, he needed everybody when he was here.”
Furthermore, Swizz Beatz urged people to write a Will after witnessing undesirable situations since DMX’s death. He not only vowed to take care of business for his fallen friend but his family too. “I’mma make sure my brother straight. I’mma make sure my brother kids is straight and everybody in here better do the same, as well. ‘Cause this is not a fashion show, this is not a performance, this is a real-life day-to-day.”
Watch below as DMX takes his final ride through the streets of New York.
