Today, Dec. 18, is the 48th birthday of legendary rapper DMX!

Born in Baltimore and raised in Yonkers, Earl Simmons has experienced an illustrious roller coaster of a career as a platinum-selling rapper, actor and reality star.

First busting into the game in 1992 under Ruffhouse Records, X got his first platinum-selling album in 1999, ...And Then There Was X , fueled by his signature single, "Party Up (Up Here)." X has starred in cult classics like Belly and Cradle 2 the Grave. Through legal woes and child custody disputes, X has remained one of the most notorious and singular talents in the game.

Back in 2016, X joined Diddy's Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour as a fan-favorite act. The summer tour was a blow out for fans of late '90s hip-hop and R&B. “I’m grateful to be a part of it and grateful to be as successful as I’ve been,” said DMX when joining the likes of Lil Kim, Faith Evans, Diddy, Ma$e, 112 and more on tour.

On the heels of the Bad Boy Family Reunion's success, DMX kicked off the earlier half of 2017 by reuniting with his Ruff Ryders crew for their reunion show at Brooklyn's Barclays Center in April of that year. After his performance at the reunion show raised some eyebrows regarding his health and mindstate, the rapper checked into rehab.

At the tail end of 2017, the veteran MC pleaded guilty to tax evasion, and following a lengthy trial, the Yonkers legend was sentenced to serve one year in prison.

X is now working hard on his health, and in his time away from the limelight and the substances he struggles with, is reportedly working on some new rhymes. Most recently, his attorney, Murray Richman, says that Dark Man X “looks great, is very happy, and overall, is doing remarkably well.” Richman also noted that the Ruff Ryders rapper has received some offers from book and film companies regarding potential projects covering his life story.

Happy Birthday, DMX. Hold your head up!

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