DMX’s legacy was immortalized as a man beloved by his family, honored for his strong faith and respected as one of hip-hop’s greatest icons at his memorial service today (Sat), with several heartfelt speeches from those who knew the rapper best.
The speakers included friends Swizz Beatz and Nas, as well as his daughter, who rapped in honor of her father.
Kanye West and Busta Rhymes were among the big names who attended the two-hour ceremony at the Barclays Center in New York.
The service at the Brooklyn arena was closed to the public and restricted to close friends and family because of the coronavirus pandemic.
West’s Sunday Service Choir kicked off the ceremony with a gospel performance.
Nas reminisced about having a conversation with a teary-eyed DMX while filming a scene for “Belly,” a crime drama. He said DMX became emotional knowing the rapper was about to embark on a journey to become a “hip-hop icon.”
Before the service, a massive black big-wheel truck with the words “LONG LIVE DMX” on a side of the vehicle carried DMX’s shiny red casket for more than 15 miles from Yonkers, New York — where the rapper grew up — to the Barclays Center. A plethora of motorcycles trailed the truck during the procession before arriving at the arena, where thousands of people crowded the streets.
Thousands of motorcycle riders surrounded the monster truck, revving up their engines. Others gathered at the arena while some of DMX’s biggest songs from “Where The Hood At” and “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” blared from the crowd’s speakers.
DMX, whose birth name is Earl Simmons, died April 9 after suffering a “catastrophic cardiac arrest.” He spent several days on life support after being rushed to a New York hospital from his home April 2.
The 50-year-old Grammy-nominated rapper delivered iconic hip-hop songs such as “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” and “Party Up (Up in Here).”
DMX’s funeral service will be held tomorrow (Sun). It will be broadcast live on BET and the network’s YouTube channel.
