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Following a heart attack, beloved rapper and actor, DMX passed away at the end of last week, sending ripples across the hip-hop world.

In many ways, DMX is one of modern hip-hop's cautionary tales because his’ is the story of a multi-talented black man who was largely unable to escape the system that entrapped him. While speaking on Talib Kweli's People's Party podcast back in 2020, DMX revealed he had been exposed to crack cocaine at the age of 14, after a manager offered him a “laced” joint. Before then, the rapper had been a victim of an abusive childhood that saw him moving around multiple children's homes, leading up to his first arrest at 15. That was the beginning of recurring run-ins with the law, that continued all the way into his adult life.

As an avid storyteller, much of his personal history and life on the streets eventually made it into his music. But rap success didn't rid DMX of the demons of his becoming. He was once infamously quoted to have said; “I'll repent one day, just not right now.” And in the light of his passing, his life and times weighs even more heavily on our hearts, because it's a reminder that not everyone gets a clean break, no matter how determined they are to live full wholesome lives—It really do be like that sometimes.

As a tribute to DMX, stream an alt. mondays extra, themed #4thedeadhomiez, curated by one of ARTISH's co-founders, Akin Adegoke.

Stream alt. mondays 045 via Apple Music below