“Let Us Pray: Chapter X,” the second posthumous album from iconic rapper DMX, reimagines his prayers and features artists including Lecrae, Snoop Dogg, Killer Mike and Mary Mary. The track Lecrae is featured on is titled, “Bear With Me,” and includes lyrics from the final track of DMX’s second studio album, “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood.”
DMX’s lyrics read in part, “I thank You, Lord, for my birth and everything that’s followed / I thank You, Lord, for today and I will pray for tomorrow.”
“I don’t always do the right thing, and I ask you to forgive me,” he says, “Cause I need you here with me, without you in my life, it’s empty / I think back how some people did me like violence was the remedy / And because I think of that now, I pray for my enemy.”
DMX’s Second Posthumous Album Reimagines Rapper’s Prayers
DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, is known for hits including “Party Up (Up in Here),” “X Gon’ Give It To Ya,” and “Get at Me Dog.” His debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” topped the Billboard 200 chart, and the rapper subsequently became the only rapper to have five albums in a row top that chart. DMX, whose stage name stood for “Dark Man X,” also had numerous hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart.
DMX was nominated for four Grammy Awards, received multiple nominations for MTV Video Music Awards, and won an American Music Award and a Soul Train Award. In addition to his success as a musical artist, DMX was an actor who appeared in films including “Romeo Must Die” and “Cradle 2 the Grave.”
The rapper had a challenging upbringing. He was born to teen parents in Mount Vernon, New York, on Dec. 18, 1970. His father was absent and his abusive mother beat him severely. At one point as a teenager, DMX spent his nights sleeping in empty Salvation Army bins. He befriended stray dogs and came to trust the animals more than people. In his youth, DMX took up robbery, and it was during this time that he began exploring his talent for rapping.
DMX passed away on April 9, 2021, at the age of 50 from a heart attack that was the result of an apparent drug overdose. He struggled with drug addiction throughout his life and was frequently in and out of jail. His albums feature explicit lyrics but also contain prayers to God.
The rapper frequently spoke about his Christian faith and even at one point of expressed an intention becoming a pastor. According to Pitchfork, DMX was ordained as deacon at a church in Arizona. He appeared at Kanye West’s Sunday Services, and one time held a Bible study on Instagram.
