DMX After They Were Famous Earl Simmons. Since catapulting into the spotlight with his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, in 1998, DMX has lead such a ridiculous life. He’s had serious financial problems, including bankruptcy, a mind-boggling fifteen children, countless arrests, and no shortage of bizarre stunts, including his 2014 agreement to box George Zimmerman, we discuss this and more in this video.