E.A.R.L:
The Autobiography of DMX by D M X., Smokey D. Fontaine, Earl Simmons
Many people questioned why I would do an article on a person that
does not fit the mold of ATLANTAHAPPS.COM. My reply was that DMX
is what ATLANTAHAPPS.COM is about: diversity, education and creativity.
After listening to several albums by this artist I was intrigued
to meet him up close and find out what exactly made this mad man
of sorts tick. Over 300 people packed the Level 3 night club to
see one of the most controversial artists in the business of rap.
During the interview DMX expressed frustration with the music
business and stated that this was his last album. Everyone gasped
in shock and disbelief when he stated that he was leaving the
business to pursue life in the ministry of god. "Yes
I said DMX wants to be a pastor." I felt a deep feeling of
disappointment that he was leaving a profession that he once
dominated. I questioned myself as to why I was feeling this
way, because I was a jazz lover who rarely listened to rap, but I suddenly realized that
this one of the few true artists who spoke from the heart and displayed confidence
in his actions and words. DMX discussed the ups and downs of the
business and how it takes artists years to truly make a profit
in the business. He explained that when you come into the business
you are basically given a loan towards your future sales, while you are working towards meeting your sales goals.
He also explained that you are incurring additional expenses,
while traveling on tour and paying your own
as well as others expenses. DMX basically stated that you never
get ahead unless you consistently sell millions of records. He also talked about relationships in
the business and how it is hard to trust anyone around you.
One
of the things I most admired about DMX was his honesty and strait-forwardness.
DMX expressed a lot of emotion at times and his face displayed
the pain and sacrifices he has experienced while gaining notoriety
and becoming one of the top rap artists in the world of hip-hop.
This occasion also marked a new chapter in his life by releasing
his auto biography DMX.
Vincent
P. McCant for ATLANTAHAPPS.COM
