Editing DMX (section)

==Personal life==

===Religion===
DMX was a born-again Christian,<ref name=readsbible>{{cite news | last=Weber | first=Katherine | url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/rapper-dmx-reads-bible-verses-to-struggling-fan-on-los-angeles-street-video-106611/ | title=Rapper DMX Reads Bible Verses to Struggling Fan on Los Angeles Street | date=October 14, 2013 | work=[[The Christian Post]] | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 11, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411085956/https://www.christianpost.com/news/rapper-dmx-reads-bible-verses-to-struggling-fan-on-los-angeles-street-video-106611/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and stated that he read the Bible every day.<ref>{{Cite AV media | url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=wuhfMSACPgU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/wuhfMSACPgU| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live| title=Jailhouse Interview of DMX | work=[[Fox 10 Phoenix]] | via=[[YouTube]] | date=January 13, 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=calling>{{cite news|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/rapper.dmx.says.life.calling.is.to.be.a.pastor/22333.htm|title=Rapper DMX says life calling is to be a pastor|work=[[Christian Today]]|date=January 19, 2009|access-date=April 10, 2021|archive-date=April 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064016/https://www.christiantoday.com/article/rapper.dmx.says.life.calling.is.to.be.a.pastor/22333.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://faithfullymagazine.com/dmx-sermon-god/ |title=DMX Reveals Pleading With God to Change His Life in 'First-Ever' Sermon |work=Faithfully |last=Menzie |first=Nicola A. |date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=August 11, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925035128/https://faithfullymagazine.com/dmx-sermon-god/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While in jail, DMX stated that he had a purpose for being there: {{Blockquote|"I came here to meet somebody...Don't know who it was, but I'll know when I see him. And I came here to give him a message. And that message is Jesus loves them."<ref name=calling/>}} DMX was a [[transitional deacon]] and aspired to become ordained as a pastor, stating that he received this [[Religious calling|call]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/articles/dmx-pastor-aspirations-rap-god-eminem-13455/ |title=DMX Talks About Becoming a Pastor and How He Feels about Eminem Being 'Rap God' |last=Law |first=Jeannie |work=Breathecast |date=January 8, 2014 |access-date=September 24, 2014 |archive-date=August 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807000432/http://www.breathecast.com/articles/dmx-pastor-aspirations-rap-god-eminem-13455/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, he gave a sermon at a church in Phoenix, Arizona.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/rapper-dmx-preaches-at-church-in-phoenix-about-miracles-and-tragedy-video.html | title=Rapper DMX Preaches at Church in Phoenix About Miracles and Tragedy (Video) | first=Jeannie | last=Law | work=[[The Christian Post]] | date=August 22, 2016 | access-date=January 7, 2024 | archive-date=April 12, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412002022/https://www.christianpost.com/news/rapper-dmx-preaches-at-church-in-phoenix-about-miracles-and-tragedy-video.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Relationships and children===
[[File:01.DMX.DCS.WDC.28jul06.jpg|thumbnail|left|upright|DMX in July 2006]]
DMX was the father of 15 children from 9 different women.<ref name=curse>{{cite news | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/05/dmxs-curse-tricked-into-smoking-crack-at-14-started-lifelong-addiction/ | title=DMX's 'curse': Tricked into smoking crack at 14… | first=Martha | last=Ross | work=[[Mercury News]] | date=April 5, 2021 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064025/https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/05/dmxs-curse-tricked-into-smoking-crack-at-14-started-lifelong-addiction/ | url-status=live }}</ref> He married his childhood friend Tashera Simmons in 1999.<ref name=bbcobituary>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56647793 | title=Obituary: DMX, the record-breaking rapper with bark and bite | work=[[BBC News]] | date=April 9, 2021 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413141808/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-56647793 | url-status=live }}</ref> They had four children together: Xavier (born 1992), Tacoma (born 1999), Sean (born 2002), and Praise Mary Ella (born 2005).<ref>{{cite web | title=DMX Kids: How Many Children Does the Rapper Have? | url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/dmx-kids-children/ | date=April 5, 2021 | first=Nolan | last=Strong | publisher=[[Heavy (website)|Heavy]] | access-date=April 9, 2021 | archive-date=April 9, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409194737/https://heavy.com/entertainment/dmx-kids-children/ | url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2010, after his first of three incarcerations that year, Tashera announced their separation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/v-exclusive-tashera-simmons-talks-living-dmx-infidelity-new-chapter-40708/ | title=V Exclusive: Tashera Simmons Talks Living With DMX, Infidelity & A New Chapter | work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410034233/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/v-exclusive-tashera-simmons-talks-living-dmx-infidelity-new-chapter-40708/ | url-status=live }}</ref> They divorced in 2014<ref name=independentfinal>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/dmx-final-words-death-tashera-simmons-b1849914.html | title=DMX's ex-wife Tashera Simmons says his final words reassured her he wasn't afraid to die | work=[[The Independent]] | date= May 19, 2021 | access-date=July 22, 2022}}</ref> and remained friends,<ref name=bbcobituary/> although in 2016, Tashera accused DMX of missing his $10,000/month [[child support]] payment.<ref name=baby/>

DMX had a daughter, Sasha (born 2002), with Patricia Trejo.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.61530/title.dmxs-daughter-commemorates-her-father-with-heartfelt-post-my-twin-i-love-you | title=DMX'S DAUGHTER COMMEMORATES HER FATHER WITH HEARTFELT POST: 'MY TWIN, I LOVE YOU' | work=[[HipHopDX]] | date=April 12, 2021 | access-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413014125/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.61530/title.dmxs-daughter-commemorates-her-father-with-heartfelt-post-my-twin-i-love-you | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2012, Trejo sued DMX for $1&nbsp;million in unpaid child support. The case was settled in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/12/28/dmx-baby-mama-settlement-passport-travel-europe/ | title=Settles $1M Child Support Case With Baby Mama | work=[[TMZ]] | date=December 28, 2013 | access-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413043136/https://www.tmz.com/2013/12/28/dmx-baby-mama-settlement-passport-travel-europe/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
 
DMX and Monique Wayne, a Maryland resident, fought over her claim that he was the father of her son born in 2004. She sued him for defamation and for child support.<ref name=vacates>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045300/judge-vacates-15-million-judgment-vs-dmx | title=Judge Vacates $1.5 Million Judgment Vs. DMX | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date=May 23, 2008 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410034233/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1045300/judge-vacates-15-million-judgment-vs-dmx | url-status=live }}</ref> After genetic testing proved that DMX was the father, in January 2008, DMX was ordered to pay Wayne $1.5&nbsp;million, but a judge vacated the judgment in May 2008.<ref name=vacates/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011103371.html |title=DMX Ordered to Pay $1.5 Million |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627060347/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011103371.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/13/AR2006101301529_pf.html |title=DMX: Call Him TBA Instead |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 14, 2006 |access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305021405/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/13/AR2006101301529_pf.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.today.com/popculture/judge-vacates-1-5-m-judgment-against-dmx-1C9414455 | title=Judge vacates $1.5 M judgment against DMX | date=May 22, 2008 | agency=[[The Associated Press]] | publisher=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410034234/https://www.today.com/popculture/judge-vacates-1-5-m-judgment-against-dmx-1C9414455 | url-status=live }}</ref>

DMX also fathered a son and a daughter with Yadira Borrego. The son was 11 years old at the time of DMX's death, while the daughter's age was not known by the general public.<ref name=kids>{{Cite news | url=https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/dmx-kids-4367881/ | title=DMX's Kids: Everything To Know About His 15 Kids From Oldest To Youngest Following His Tragic Death | first=Julia | last=Teti | work=[[Hollywood Life]] | date=April 9, 2021 | access-date=April 11, 2021 | archive-date=April 11, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411184834/https://hollywoodlife.com/feature/dmx-kids-4367881/ | url-status=live }}</ref> He fathered another child with his fiancée Desiree Lindstrom on August 16, 2016.<ref name=kids/><ref name=baby>{{cite news |last=Ivey |first=Justin |title=DMX Welcomes His 15th Baby Into the World |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/dmx-welcomes-baby-into-world/ |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410034234/https://www.xxlmag.com/dmx-welcomes-baby-into-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mauli|first=Chad|date=2021-10-24|title=Woman Claims She Is DMX's 15th Child amid Estate Battle|url=https://allrapnews.com/news/dmx-15th-child-estate-battle/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=All Rap News|language=en-US|archive-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026000328/https://allrapnews.com/news/dmx-15th-child-estate-battle/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/dmx-welcomes-15th-child-find-out-the-babys-name-w435829/ | title=DMX Welcomes 15th Child: Find Out the Baby's Name | first=Rachel Paula | last=Abrahamson | work=[[Us Weekly]] | date=August 23, 2016 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410051603/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/dmx-welcomes-15th-child-find-out-the-babys-name-w435829/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

DMX's final two children, twin boys, were born on December 5, 2019. Their mother is Pebbles Junell.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bckonline.com/2021/04/25/meet-dmxs-twins-aidyn-and-kydn-simmons/|title=MEET DMX'S TWINS, AIDYN AND K'YDN SIMMONS|publisher=BCK Online|date=April 25, 2021|access-date=January 6, 2022|archive-date=January 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107035424/https://bckonline.com/2021/04/25/meet-dmxs-twins-aidyn-and-kydn-simmons/|url-status=live}}</ref>

DMX [[Intestacy|did not have a will]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hiphopwired.com/1047933/georgia-woman-claims-to-be-15th-child-of-dmx-in-estate-battle/ |title=Georgia Woman Claims To Be 15th Child Of DMX In Estate Battle |date=October 24, 2021 |access-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-date=October 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024170721/https://hiphopwired.com/1047933/georgia-woman-claims-to-be-15th-child-of-dmx-in-estate-battle/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, legal battles ensued in probate courts following his death.

===Finances and bankruptcies===
DMX filed for bankruptcy three times.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://uproxx.com/movies/dmx-bankruptcy-again/ | title=DMX Is 'Drowning In Debt' And Has Reportedly Filed For Bankruptcy | first=DELENDA | last=JOSEPH | work=[[Uproxx]] | date=December 30, 2016 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410051603/https://uproxx.com/movies/dmx-bankruptcy-again/ | url-status=live }}</ref> His first filing was on July 30, 2013, citing his child support obligations as his priority claim.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shafferman |first=Joel M. |title=B1 (Official Form 1) Voluntary Petition(04/13) |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/156968070/Dmx-Petition |publisher=[[United States Bankruptcy Court]] |page=9 |date=July 2013 |access-date=September 9, 2017 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307035632/https://www.scribd.com/doc/156968070/Dmx-Petition |url-status=live }}</ref> The filing was challenged by the [[United States Trustee Program]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Davis | first=Tracy Hope | url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/808821-dmx-ust.html | title=Memorandum of Law in Support of the United States Trustee's Motion for Order Converting the Case to One Under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code or Dismissing the Case | pages=3–10 | date=October 2013 | access-date=December 7, 2013 | archive-date=May 7, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507092959/https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/808821-dmx-ust.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and was dismissed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan on November 11, 2013.<ref>{{cite web | last=Palank | first=Jacqueline | title=Judge Dismisses DMX Bankruptcy | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-BANKB-19138 | work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] | date=November 11, 2013 | url-access=subscription | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410051602/https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-BANKB-19138 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Feud with Ja Rule===
During the 1990s, DMX formed a close bond with fellow up-and-coming rappers [[Jay-Z]] and [[Ja Rule]]. The three collaborated many times and formed a group known as [[Murder Inc. (rap group)|Murder Inc.]] The group was short-lived due to internal issues between DMX and Jay-Z. After the breakup of the group DMX disparaged Ja Rule, accusing him of being a copycat and drawing comparisons between himself and what he saw as Ja Rule stealing his signature "gruff" style of delivery. DMX would then release his second album ''[[Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood]]'' which contained the [[diss track]] "We Don't Give Fuck" that was directed towards Ja Rule and produced by [[Irv Gotti]]. Ja Rule would then respond in the song "We Different" from the compilation album [[Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers]]. DMX would also go on to throw shots at Ja Rule in his song "Do You" from [[Funkmaster Flex]]'s mixtape [[The Mix Tape, Vol. IV]].

In 2002, DMX released his diss track "They Want War" on [[DJ Kay Slay]]'s mixtape Streetsweepers Presents The Regulator Pt. 5 The Final Chapter.<ref name=diss>{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/Dmx-they-want-war-ja-rule-diss-lyrics|title=DMX – They Want War (Ja Rule Diss)|website=Genius.com|access-date=December 4, 2019|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413085006/https://genius.com/Dmx-they-want-war-ja-rule-diss-lyrics|url-status=live}}</ref> Ja Rule never responded directly but he went on to diss DMX in his songs "Fuck With Us" and "Connected" from his album ''[[The Last Temptation (Ja Rule album)|The Last Temptation]]''. The next year [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]] would take shots at Ja Rule in the song "Go To Sleep" with [[Eminem]] and [[Obie Trice]] from the ''[[Cradle 2 The Grave]]'' soundtrack. DMX would also release another diss track titled "Ruled Out" and he would also diss Ja Rule again in his song "[[Where the Hood At?]]". Ja Rule then dissed DMX in Caddillac Tah's song "Duck" and his own songs "[[Clap Back (song)|Clap Back]]" and "Blood In My Eye" from his album of the same name. However, as time passed and the feud faded into obscurity, DMX said that he wanted to officially bring it to an end when he was released from prison in 2005: "[[Irv Gotti|Gotti]] came to me in jail and said I want to make peace with you and him. I was like, 'Alright Gotti, let's do it."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://allhiphop.com/news/dmx-and-ja-rule-end-beef/ | title=DMX And Ja Rule End Beef | first=Greg | last=Watkins | work=[[AllHipHop]] | date=September 29, 2006 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410051603/https://allhiphop.com/news/dmx-and-ja-rule-end-beef/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Despite this, DMX and Ja Rule did not officially end their feud until 2009, at VH1's [[Hip Hop Honors]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://allhiphop.com/news/dmx-officially-ends-feud-with-ja-rule/ | title=Daily News –: DMX Officially Ends Feud With Ja Rule | first=Greg | last=Watkins | work=[[AllHipHop]] | date=September 24, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110118094620/http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2009/09/24/21952137.aspx |archive-date=January 18, 2011 }}</ref>

===Feud with Jay-Z===
When DMX partnered with [[Jay-Z]] and [[Ja Rule]] in [[Murder Inc. (rap group)|Murder Inc.]], there was a feud between the two, which also contributed to the failure of the group and working together. According to reports, the feud started in the early 1990s after a rap battle between the two, which led to DMX's disdain for Jay-Z.<ref name="MTV 2015-11-10">{{cite news |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/2424398/jay-z-irv-gotti-dmx-beef-battle/ |title=IRV GOTTI EXPLAINS WHY DMX ALWAYS HATED JAY Z |website=Mtv.com |date=2015-11-10 |access-date=2021-04-12 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412141914/https://www.mtv.com/news/2424398/jay-z-irv-gotti-dmx-beef-battle/ }}</ref><ref name="Meaww 2021-04-08">{{cite news |url=https://meaww.com/dmx-past-feuds-rapper-beef-jay-z-ja-rule-murder-inc-irv-gotti |title=DMX's past feuds: How rapper's beef with Jay Z and Ja Rule shattered their dreams of Murder Inc |work=Meaww.com |date=2021-04-08 |access-date=2021-04-12 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412141916/https://meaww.com/dmx-past-feuds-rapper-beef-jay-z-ja-rule-murder-inc-irv-gotti |url-status=live }}</ref> Prior to DMX's death, the feud, although it fizzled out over the years, continued when DMX said in an Instagram video that he wanted to rap battle Jay-Z on [[Verzuz]].<ref name="Urban Islandz 2020-05-21">{{cite news |url=https://urbanislandz.com/2020/05/21/dmx-says-eminem-dont-want-no-smoke-insist-on-battling-jay-z/ |title=DMX Says Eminem Don't Want No Smoke, Insist On Battling JAY-Z |website=Urbanislandz.com |date=2020-05-21 |access-date=2021-04-12 |archive-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412141914/https://urbanislandz.com/2020/05/21/dmx-says-eminem-dont-want-no-smoke-insist-on-battling-jay-z/ |url-status=live }}</ref>