DMX’s Celebration of Life memorial service took place today (April 24) at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and it was nothing short of emotional for all of those who truly loved and appreciated the now-late recording artist.
Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir brought the house down with beautiful melodies, and X’s children even took the stage to remember — and rap about — their loving father. Toward the end of the service, however, the star’s fellow Ruff Ryders paid their respects and said their goodbyes to their brother, as well. Eve, Swizz Beatz, The LOX, Drag-On, Dee Dean and more were the ones who took the stage.
The label’s co-founder Waah Dean first said, “Let’s give condolences to the family. All the Simmons, all the kids, we want y’all to know from the Ruff Ryders family that we love you, we [are] here for you no matter what. We never walked away from Earl, we never will… ride or die. That’s what we do.”
Eve continued, “Thank you for the energy that everyone has bought here today. The celebration of how great we all know DMX was… I am seriously the luckiest, luckiest woman in the world to have been adopted by the Ruff Ryders, but to have known DMX like way that I knew him as a man, a father, a friend… this is so hard, ya’ll… I pray to God…to our ancestors that his journey was smooth. I know that he will rest in power, rest in love, but most of all, he will rest in peace.”
The LOX and Drag-On also said a few touching words in remembrance of their fallen brother, as they fought to hold back tears — though unsuccessfully. “And I’m trying my best not to cry right now,” Drag-On said. “But, I’m not shit without this dude, bro. He taught me everything I know… The air I breathe is what he put in my lungs in this industry.”
Swizz closed out the Ruff Ryders’ speeches at the service, and in a very powerful way, as he called out those who weren’t there for X when he was alive, but attended the service. “Words can’t describe our loss. But, our gain is heavy, as well, because we got a real serious person upstairs that’s looking down on us and that’s going to guide us on our journey,” the producer said. “I just wish all of these people showed up for him when he was here. You got thousands of people claiming who they are, and [selling] tickets and things like that. This man needed everybody.”
Swizz continued: “He didn’t need everybody when he [was] not here. He needed everybody when he was here. So, we got to learn how to celebrate each other while we’re here… The things that I’m witnessing from my brother’s passing is a big educational thing for me to learn. I’m glad that I got to see it at this age. A lot of people ain’t your friends, a lot of people ain’t your family.”
He closed, “I need everybody to do a will. You have to do your will. You do not want strangers — bloodsuckers — handling your business when you’re not here. You want to ones that you love handling your business. But, I’mma make sure my brother straight. I’mma make sure my brother kids is straight and everybody in here better do the same, as well. ‘Cause this is not a fashion show, this is not a performance, this is a real-life day-to-day.”