Music
16 Jul 21

DMX mural unveiled in Yonkers, New York

Photo from @RapUp Twitter account.

The giant mural pays tribute to the rapper and references songs he wrote about his hometown.

Artist Floyd Simmons paid tribute to DMX, AKA Earl Simmons (the two are not related despite sharing a last name), in DMX's hometown of Yonkers, New York.

Simmons began working on the mural back in May, on a wall close to Calcagno Homes on School Street, the public housing complex that was once home to the rapper.

The giant mural is 35x22 feet in size and features a portrait of the rapper alongside verses from songs like 1998’s ‘Look Thru My Eyes’, in which the rapper references the area: “Come through flyin’, up 129 / Up the School Street ’cause I come through mine.”

It also features lyrics from 2001’s ‘School Street’ and DJ Clue’s 1998 song ‘It’s On’, which the rapper appeared on.

The rapper tragically passed away this year, a week after suffering a drug overdose and a subsequent heart attack.

The mural was unveiled to the public by the Mayor of Yonkers, Mike Spano, earlier this week, with members of Ruff Ryders, Def Jam Records, and the rapper's fianceé Desiree Lindstrom attending the ceremony.

📸 Unveiling of DMX Mural (Calcagno Houses - behind 55 School Street in the parking lot)

[The city commissioned Yonkers Arts to restore an existing mural, and residents asked that the restoration include a tribute to DMX] pic.twitter.com/CBBfkof2Db

— cityofyonkers (@CityofYonkers) July 13, 2021

A posthumous DMX album Exodus was released at the end of May this year. The album featured material produced by Swizz Beatz and appearances from guest artists like Bono, Jay-Z, and Lil Nas X.