Image via Complex Original
DMX has a reputation for recklessness that is unmatched in hip-hop. He’s a rare triple-threat, with classic material, an acting career, and perhaps more run-ins with the law than any other rapper alive. When Dr. Phil once told X he had been arrested 25 times, the rapper assumed the number was even greater.
DMX has only released two albums in the last decade, and neither managed to make much of a splash. He’s ridden a financial and emotional roller coaster in that same time span, yet he continues to make headlines for his public antics, with each incident crazier than the next. From impersonating federal agents to comparing Drake to a washing machine, here are The 15 Most DMX Moments Ever.
DMX firing shots at Ja Rule during his Tim Westwood interview.
Date: 2004
Put a microphone in front of DMX and he's liable to say something that'll rile people up. That's exactly what happened in 2004 during an interview with Tim Westwood. X made reference to an incident in Chicago, claiming an unnamed individual only made it out of the Windy City because he gave them a pass. "You know know who the fuck I'm talking to, nigga. You only alive because of me motherfucker!" The individual in question? Ja Rule. As X tells it, he and a number of Latin Kings were going to roll up on Rule, before DMX pulled the plug. Fortunately, the two have settled their differences.
DMX impersonating a federal agent.
Date: 2004
Between charges for drug and weapon possession, June of 2004 was a bad month for DMX. The pair of indictments stemmed from an oddball arrest, when he impersonated a federal agent before crashing his car—sirens and all—at Kennedy Airport. Inside the vehicle? Crack cocaine and a club. If only the would-be agent hadn’t blown his identity. It was later revealed that X smashed through a parking lot gate to avoid paying the $9 fee despite having several hundred dollars in his pocket. After racking up a $240,000 fine for the incident, it's fair to say he should have just paid upfront.
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DMX causing a car crash that involved a police car.
Date: 2005
DMX experienced a worst-case scenario on the road in 2005 when he ran into a vehicle which propelled into a cop car ahead of it. The accident occurred in the Bronx on the heavily trafficked Major Deegan Expressway, and left two officers with minor injures. The rapper was soon released by police, but not before they slapped X with charges of suspicion of driving with a suspended license.
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DMX dissing President Barack Obama because of his name.
Date: 2008
DMX took the definition of petty to the next level when he was asked about Barack Obama during an interview with XXL in early 2008. “What the fuck is a Barack?!” Incredulous, he claimed the name was “bullshit” several times, despite not actually knowing anything about the presidential candidate. Only God knows how frustrated X has been to see a man named Barack in the White House for the last six years.
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DMX stealing someone's identity.
Date: 2008
You’d think DMX would have learned his lesson after facing criminal charges for impersonating a government agent in 2004. DMX likes to take risks though, so he pulled a similar move in 2008 and attempted to steal someone’s identity. Instead of evading his expensive medical bill by pretending to be “Troy Jones,” he was caught and found guilty by a grand jury in Arizona.
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DMX complaining about his pink jumpsuit in jail.
Date: 2009
Following the Arizona jury’s guilty verdict that sent him to jail for identity theft, DMX did an interview with local news station Fox 10 from prison that perfectly captured the Earl Simmons we've come to expect over the years. When asked about the conditions at the institution, he had this to say: “Jail used to be a place where it was like, ‘Alright. I’ll go there, you know, I’ll be the life of the party, waddup, it’s nothing, I’ll live, it’s good.’ But this jail is ridiculous, it’s disrespectful. Come on, pink? What does that have to with being jail? Why the pink?"
DMX not understanding how to use a computer…in 2012.
Date: 2012
We all have that older person in our life who knows very little about computers, let alone maneuvering through the World Wide Web. DMX is that special grown man, but to the entire rap game. During a visit at Power 105 in 2012, X struggled to Google his own name on a laptop, calling the experience "scary." At least this verifies DMX will never be a part of WakeUpNow.
DMX comparing Drake's talent to a washing machine.
Date: 2012
DMX perfected the insult disguised as a compliment when discussing Drake during an interview on MTV's RapFix Live in 2012. When asked about the Toronto rapper, X admitted Drake was talented, but felt his sound was redundant, likening it to a washing machine. Leave it to DMX to deliver some low key ether.
DMX singing “Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Date: 2012
DMX showed off his festive mood during a stop at Power 105 in late 2012, where the Yonkers rapper shared his own rendition of “Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” True, his vocals were out of sync compared to the original tune, but that was outweighed by X's sincere delivery, proving even the hardest thugs can appreciate the spirit of Christmas.
DMX running around a hotel naked.
Date: 2013
In what DMX says was a dare from a friend, the rapper ran through a Detroit hotel in nothing but his calf-high socks. Video footage of the incident shows X sliding off his boxers, running down the hallway, then going back to retrieve his underwear. We feel bad for the hotel steward, who is seen walking down the hallway with a meal cart while DMX goes full frontal for the lulz.
DMX crashing a wedding party.
Date: 2014
The best weddings all involve some sort of turn-up. DMX knows this. That's why earlier this year he hopped onto a groom's party bus with rap hands blazing and chains swinging. We tip our cap to the thoughtful gentleman who took it upon himself to search for some booze. X, always a considerate guy, even dapped up the driver before leading a rap-along to his hit, “X Gon’ Give It To Ya.” Clap for ‘em.
DMX threatening to piss on George Zimmerman's face.
Date: 2014
What’s nice about not giving a fuck is sometimes saying what many of us are thinking, even if the execution is overtly obscene. Earlier this year, DMX challenged George Zimmerman to a boxing match, and even threatened to piss in the man’s face: “I am going to whip my dick out and piss on him … right in his muthafuckin face.” Sadly, the event never came to fruition.
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DMX driving a cab in the Bay Area.
Date: 2014
DMX showed off his quirky sense of humor earlier this year when he was filmed driving a cab in the Bay Area. X owned the moment, leaning out the window and proclaiming himself a lawyer. Even better, he seamlessly shared his own started-from-the-bottom story: “DMX! [Had] no mothafuckin’ license, now I’m driving a cab, baby!”
DMX admitting to eating dog food.
Date: 2014
It likely stems from his career-long connection to canines, but DMX admitting to eating dog food wasn't all that surprising, though it was pretty funny. What's more disturbing is his candid explanation for his preferences (canned dog food has a superior smell, but does not necessarily boast an abundance of vitamins). Pay attention, pet owners. Pay attention.
DMX screaming his lungs out on an amusement park ride.
Date: 2014
Not everyone is built for death-defying amusement park rides, including DMX, who was recently caught on camera riding the Slingshot in Orlando. The video clip captures X and a friend screaming at the top of their lungs as they shoot up in the air, before noticing a camera filmed the entire experience. DMX quickly backtracks, stating, “We did it for the camera!” Whatever, X. We’re just happy it happened.