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The rap game said goodbye to Earl “DMX” Simmons yesterday, with some of the biggest names in the business coming together to pay their respects to the legendary artist at the DMX memorial. Kanye West led the tributes, bringing his Sunday Service choir to the memorial for a haunting performance.
Held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the DMX memorial was a moving tribute to the rapper, who passed away last month after suffering a catastrophic cardiac arrest. He was just 50-years-old.
Among those in the crowd were Ruff Ryder’s label co-founders Waah Dean, Dee Dean, and Eve, Swizz Beatz, Jay Z, Beyonce and Jadakiss. Fellow New York native Nas read a eulogy touching on how DMX has changed his life for the better.
Nas and swizzzbeatz at DMX memorial #Brothers ✊🏾🤲🏽🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/rozH7W45nM
— KING's DISEASE (@GodsonNasir) April 25, 2021
Nas described his Belly co-star DMX as a “hip-hop icon” during his speech. “It’s an honour to be here tonight, but at the same time, it’s a sad day. It’s a glorious day. I just want to say I’m honoured to be here,” he said to the crowd, wearing a green camo outfit with a hat.
In true DMX style, the funeral procession was unique and memorable. Earlier in the day, the procession kicked off in DMX’s hometown of Yonkers as a monster truck reading “LONG LIVE DMX” ferried his casket through the streets.
Hundreds in Yonkers for a procession to Brooklyn for DMX’s memorial service. High energy & huge crowd. pic.twitter.com/061sR78E9l
— Troy Closson (@troy_closson) April 24, 2021
The truck led a procession of hundreds of Ruff Ryders on motorbikes from Yonkers to the Barclays centre, where a small selection of family, friends and industry heavyweights gathered.
Despite being able to seat 19,000, The Barclays Centre permitted 10% capacity for the DMX memorial. The service was live-streamed on YouTube for those unable to attend.
As well as performing at the memorial, Kanye West is set to pay further tribute to the Ruff Ryders legend. YEEZY and Balenciaga have come together for a unique commemorative shirt released in DMX’s honour.
Kanye instructed Balenciaga to design a T-shirt in tribute to the late artist, with all proceeds benefiting Simmons’s family. Unsurprisingly the one-off collaboration promptly sold out.
