Today, GQ Magazine released the first post-prison interview with rapper and actor, DMX. In the interview, DMX reflects on childhood trauma, new recording deals, his favorite hip-hop artists, and performing at Kanye West‘s Sunday Service.
When asked about his relationship with his mother, DMX explains that he doesn’t hold anything he experienced at the hands of his mother against her. When asked if he still loved his mother despite her abusive behavior, DMX replied, “ That doesn’t mean I don’t love her. That doesn’t mean she’s the same person. Children don’t come with a fucking instruction manual. She was 20 when she had me. Four sisters; I’m the only boy. Maybe she didn’t know what to do with me. I found out I just knew things that she didn’t know when I was only six years old. I would get up at night sometimes to drink water because I was so hungry. And I saw something in her notebook that was open on the kitchen table. And it was wrong, so I erased it. I thought I was helping. I don’t know what she thought I was doing, but… I don’t know if she thought I was trying to sabotage her or whatever. I don’t know what she thought. But she beat two teeth out of my fucking mouth with a broom. And I think about this today, I’m like, “Okay, you saw me erase something in your notebook. What did you think I was trying to do? What could you have possibly thought I was trying to do?”
While chopping it up with GQ, DMX confirmed that he has a new deal with Def Jam. The rapper admits to wanting to be apart of the label for years, as he has the same name as its founder. DMX also points out a couple of his own favorite hip-hop acts who now have the prime status he once did. He adds, “Kendrick Lamar is dope. J. Cole. Ya know, lyricists.”
DMX has been a busy man since being released from prison at the beginning of this year. One of the most publicized events on his schedule included leading a prayer during an edition of Kanye West’s Sunday Service. When asked about the spiritual service DMX replied:
“I wouldn’t call it a church service. There’s no word. It’s joyful, which God says to do. We about to make a joyful noise. I enjoyed it. It was moving. I didn’t know what to expect, though. I didn’t know what to expect.”
DMX goes in-depth with GQ on what he believes are his most iconic tracks. See what he had to say here:
