Long live X.
Less than three months after DMX’s death, his life and legacy were celebrated at the 2021 BET Awards on Sunday (June 27). Method Man, alongside X’s Ruff Ryders family, kicked off the 6-minute tribute with an a cappella version of “Get at Me Dog” before Griselda’s Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher, and Conway the Machine hit the stage to perform their DMX collaboration “Hood Blues” and “Where the Hood At?”
As DMX’s family members looked on from the audience, Michael K. Williams channeled the Yonkers legend while reciting lyrics from his classic “Slippin’.” “I’m slippin’, I’m fallin’, I can’t get up,” said “The Wire” actor.
DMX’s fellow Ruff Ryders including Swizz Beatz and The Lox’s Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch then emerged for “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” before Busta Rhymes set it off with a lively performance of “Party Up (Up In Here),” ending with a prayer from DMX himself as the crowd at L.A’s Microsoft Theater held their Xs in the air.
In April, the rap icon passed away at the age of 50 after suffering a heart attack. DMX’s posthumous album Exodus was released last month featuring JAY-Z, Nas, Lil Wayne, Alicia Keys, Usher, and Snoop Dogg.
Watch the touching tribute below.
