Rapper DMX remembered by family and friends at memorial service: 'He deepened my ability to love'

The rapper, who was born Earl Simmons, died April 9 after suffering a 'catastrophic cardiac arrest'

The casket of DMX is seen on a monster truck on Flatbush avenue outside the Barclays Centre where a private memorial for the US rapper was held in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, April 24. EPA

Members of the NYPD stand next to the monster truck holding the casket of US rapper DMX. EPA

The casket of US rapper DMX is seen on a monster truck on Flatbush avenue outside the Barclays Centre. EPA

The casket of US rapper is seen on a monster truck on Flatbush avenue outside the Barclays Centre. EPA

Fans gather to pay tribute outside a memorial to celebrate the life of late rapper and actor Earl Simmons, known by his stage name DMX, outside the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York City. Reuters

Fans gather to pay tribute outside a memorial to celebrate the life of DMX, outside the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York City. Reuters

Fans gather to pay tribute outside a memorial to celebrate the life of DMX. Reuters

Members of the Nation of Islam are seen next to an X floral arrangement outside the Barclays Centre where a private memorial for US rapper DMX is being held in Brooklyn, New York. EPA

Cherrelle McClary, 32, poses for a portrait with her DMX mask during a memorial at Barclays Centre. AP

A person holds up a newspaper with a photo of musician and actor Earl Simmons, known as DMX, outside the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York City. Reuters

A fan pays tribute outside a memorial to celebrate the life of musician and actor DMX outside the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York City. Reuters

People gather outside the Barclays Centre where a private memorial for late US rapper DMX was being held, in Brooklyn, New York. EPA

Fans sing outside the Barclays Centre. EPA

Aaron Baines, 22, shows off his recent tattoo of rapper DMX. AP Photo

People gather for a Celebration of Life Memorial for rapper DMX at Barclays Centre, Saturday, in the Brooklyn, New York. AP

DMX’s legacy was immortalised as a man beloved by his family, honoured for his strong faith and respected as one of hip-hop’s greatest names at his memorial service Saturday, 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 honour of her father.

Kanye West and Busta Rhymes were among the big names who attended the two-hour ceremony at the Barclays Centre 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.

Our father is a king. Our father is an icon. This man deepened my ability to love

In a touching moment, DMX’s 15 children gathered on stage to talk – and sometimes rap – about the star as a father who taught them such lessons as “always say thank you,” “be kind to everyone” and that being afraid can sometimes show a person how to be brave.

"Our father is a king. Our father is an icon," eldest son Xavier Simmons said. He said he was honoured to be his DMX's son. "This man deepened my ability to love."

Tashera Simmons, DMX’s ex-wife, told the audience: “Everything he did, he did for you all. He always wanted to please you. He always wanted to give you his best show.”

“What he wants you to do,” she said, “is love Jesus the same way he did. Love his babies. Love his family.”

epa09157680 The marquee of the Barclays Center displays a picture of US rapper DMX during a private memorial in Brooklyn, New York, USA, 24 April 2021. DMX died at the age of 50, after he was admitted to the hospital for a heart attack where he remained on life support until 09 April 2021. EPA/JASON SZENES

West's Sunday Service Choir kicked off the ceremony with a gospel performance. The hoodie sweatshirt-wearing ensemble performed a few songs, including their arrangement of Excellent and Soul II Soul's Keep On Movin'. The choir took the stage during other moments of the ceremony, performing Ultralight Beam and Whitney Houston's assisted vocals on the hymn Jesus Loves Me.

DMX attends a party at Elleven45 Lounge, in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on February 19. On Saturday, April 3, the rapper and actor was admitted to hospital in New York and placed on life support, following a heart attack. Getty Images

DMX performs at Masters Of Ceremony 2019, at Barclays Centre in New York.

DMX and Jet Li in a scene from 2003 film, 'Cradle 2 The Grave'. Rex Features

DMX's fifth album, 2003's 'Grand Champ', debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 charts.

DMX, also known as Earl Simmons, exits the US Federal Court in Manhattan, New York, in July 2017, following a hearing regarding income tax evasion charges. Reuters

DMX performs on stage at Warsaw Challenge 2014 in Sowinski Park, Warsaw, Poland, in May 2014. EPA

A police photograph of DMX, after his arrest on August 20, 2013, in South Carolina, on a previous warrant for driving under a suspended license and a new charge of possession of marijuana. Reuters

DMX poses for photos backstage at the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 4, 2000. Getty Images

DMX, his wife Tashera Simmons and their children attend the premiere of 'Exit Wounds' on March 9, 2001, in New York. Getty Images

DMX at the Soul Train Music Awards in 2000. Reuters

DMX in a scene from the 2000 film, 'Romeo Must Die'. Warner Bros

DMX accepts the award for Favourite Rap/Hip Hop artist, during a live broadcast of the American Music Awards show on January 17, 2000, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Getty Images

Actor and former rapper Mark Wahlberg and DMX on stage during a live broadcast of the MTV Video Music Awards in New York, on September 6, 2001. Reuters

DMX and actor Steven Segal attend the premiere of 'Exit Wounds' on March 9, 2001, at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York. Getty Images

DMX offers a prayer after winning the R&B Albums Artist of the Year award at the 1999 Billboard Music Awards show at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images

DMX accepts the award for Favourite Rap/Hip Hop artist, during a live broadcast of the American Music Awards show January 17, 2000, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Getty Images

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."

“It’s a sad day as well as a glorious day,” said Nas, who starred with DMX in the 1998 film. “That was my brother. We did a great movie together. On that movie, he was just rising up as a star. His first album didn’t even come out yet, but he knew his journey was starting.”

He was one of the most incredible individuals, from the beginning of his career to the end, he accomplished something no one had ever accomplished

Eve said she was still having a hard time with DMX’s death, remembering him as a “man, a father, a friend.” She stood on stage with the Ruff Ryders collective, which helped launch the careers of Grammy winners Eve and Swizz Beatz and relaunch The Lox, formerly signed to Bad Boy Records.

After Eve spoke, Styles P talked about a time when he and DMX were both in the same jail. He said DMX fetched him from his cell and then took him to a part of the jail where he had a band set up along with a string of MCs.

"DMX was the ghetto-est person that ever existed," Styles P said. "What he means to us is indescribable … He celebrated us and pushed us. He was one of the most incredible individuals, because from the beginning of his career to the end, he accomplished something no one has ever accomplished. He was in pain the whole way. Whenever you saw him, that man was in pain, but he was built out of love. He was a beast with the rhymes."

Jadakiss said DMX was the “happiest he ever been in life” during the last couple of years.

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 24 kilometres from Yonkers, New York – where the rapper grew up – to the Barclays Centre. A plethora of motorcycles trailed the truck during the procession before arriving at the arena, where thousands of people crowded the streets.

Fans pay tribute outside a memorial to celebrate the life of late of rapper and actor Earl Simmons, known by his stage name DMX. Reuters

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.

Cynthia Roberts, 57, a Brooklyn resident, said she has been a fan of DMX since his Ruff Ryders days. She showed up at the arena to pay homage to the rapper, saying she was struck by his rhymes, voice and musicianship.

"He was a true guy. He spoke his truth. He touched my soul," said Roberts, who was sporting a DMX T-shirt. She called the rapper's music timeless.

“I tell myself he was put here for that,” she continued. “We all have a job to do, and he did his job.”

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.

Programmes with images of DMX were handed out to the service's attendees before the ceremony, which was livestreamed on the rapper's YouTube channel. The four-page booklet had different images of the rapper, including one with his arms folded with wings and another photo of him standing on stage during a performance.

The Grammy-nominated rapper, who was 50, delivered popular hip-hop songs such as Ruff Ryders' Anthem and Party Up (Up in Here).

Ivey Bronson, 59, writes a note on a board for a Celebration of Life Memorial for rapper DMX at The Barclays Centre. AP photo

DMX arrived on the rap scene around the same time as Jay Z, Ja Rule and others who dominated the charts and emerged as platinum-selling acts. They were all part of rap crews, too: DMX fronted the Ruff Ryders collective, which had success on the charts and on radio with its Ryde or Die compilation albums.

Along with his musical career, DMX paved his way as an actor. He starred in Belly and appeared in 2000′s Romeo Must Die with Jet Li and Aaliyah. DMX and Aaliyah teamed up for Come Back in One Piece on the film's soundtrack.

DMX’s funeral service will be held at 2.30pm EDT Sunday (10.30pm GST). It will be broadcast live on BET and the network’s YouTube channel.