Interview: DMX

by Dewey Hammond

These excerpts originally appeared in Playboy magazine in January 2004, the 50th Anniversary issue. Only fair-use excerpts are available here because Playboy owns the copyright.

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DMX, who wrote his first rhyme at the age of 13, swears his latest album, Grand Champ, is his hip-hop finale, but we're skeptical... The X of all trades called in from a McDonald's parking lot while on tour.

Are you swear-on-the-Bible retiring from rap?
"Yep. I'm going out like I came in -- banging 'em. The rap game has nothing to do with talent anymore. Bullshit is getting wild play. I can't get down like that. I'm gooing to the church. I want to become a pastor."

What inspired the man who recorded It's Dark and Hell is Hot to turn to God?
"The only reason I'm here is because God has been watching over me. There have been too many times when I was supposed to get killed. He wants me to save souls, to speak his word."

Would you mind if your kids grew up to be rap stars?
"My children will be whatever the f*ck they want to be, as long as it's positive and beneficial. And profitable."