DMX (rapper) birth name was given by his mother and it is Earl Simmons.
 Simmons chose the name "DMX", which came from an instrument he had used at the boys' home, the Oberheim DMX drum machine
== Legacy ==Various celebrities paid tribute through outlets like social media including former NFL player Torrey Smith, LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Eminem, Gabrielle Union (who co-starred with DMX in the 2003 film, Cradle 2 the Grave, along with Jet Li (who also paid tribute), Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean, Wyclef Jean, Swizz Beatz (who DMX collaborated with including on the hit single, "Ruff Ryders' Anthem"), Eve and Missy Elliott

