DMX to kick off New Season of “Behind the Music”
DMX Leads Powerful Return of VH1’s Iconic Series
VH1’s legendary docuseries Behind the Music is officially back, and it’s returning with a bang. Kicking off the new season is none other than rap icon Earl “DMX” Simmons. Slated to air Monday, June 7 at 8 PM EST, the premiere episode dives deep into the gritty and gripping journey of one of hip-hop’s most magnetic and tortured figures.
The newly relaunched season will feature seven artists in total. Those included are DMX, Christina Aguilera, Eve, Courtney Love, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, and Usher. However, the choice to start with DMX is no accident. His story, a mix of raw talent, relentless struggle, and spiritual searching, is tailor-made for the emotional impact Behind the Music is known for.
A Candid Look at a Complicated Life
“Behind the Music: DMX” traces the Yonkers-born rapper’s path from an abusive childhood to global rap superstardom. Viewers will get rare insight into the violent beatings he suffered from his mother. Therefore, leading to a childhood spent in and out of group homes, juvenile detention centers, and eventually, prison. All of it is laid bare for the audience.
DMX’s honesty shines throughout the episode as he opens up about the lifelong trauma he’s endured. Much of this fed into his raw, often pain-laced lyrics. More importantly, the episode gives him the chance to reflect. Not only reflecting on his music, but on his ongoing battles with addiction and the law. So, fans will see the pain he often shares in his music.
Viewers will receive firsthand insight on what shaped DMX. As a result, they are in for an entertaining hour.
An Unprecedented Musical Feat
The special explores DMX’s meteoric rise in the late ’90s, when he became the first rapper in history to have five consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. With tracks like “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” “Slippin’,” and “Party Up (Up In Here),” X didn’t just chart—he commanded the culture.
DMX emerged at a time when hip-hop was following a different trend. However, his hardcore and rough style changed the game. Few people saw it coming, but X took over the rap game. After that, he took over pop culture, and songs like “Party Up (Up In Here)” did it. Now, his legacy is being celebrated.
Behind the Music shows how his aggressive style, signature growl, and spiritual undertones made him a unique force in hip-hop, especially at a time when shiny-suit rap dominated airwaves.
Raw, Real, and Unfiltered
For the first time ever on camera, DMX speaks openly about his criminal history, the highs and lows of his marriage, and his more than 25-year struggle with drug addiction. The emotional toll of his fame is laid bare in raw, unfiltered interviews.
The episode features testimonials from close family members, his ex-wife Tashera Simmons, and major music executives who were instrumental to his career, including Def Jam’s Lyor Cohen, Ruff Ryders’ Swizz Beatz, Murder Inc.’s Irv Gotti, and fellow artist Eve.
Their reflections not only paint a portrait of a troubled artist but also showcase the loyalty and admiration DMX continues to command from the hip-hop community.
Legal Battles and Missed Opportunities
In March, DMX was sentenced to six months in jail for violating probation due to illegal drug use. However, during court proceedings, there was discussion of an alternative plan: sending him to rehab. Dr. Drew Pinsky’s Pasadena Recovery Center offered to treat DMX as part of his recovery journey. While the judge expressed interest, ultimately DMX remained in Arizona’s state program.
Just weeks ago, another opportunity came and went. Producers from VH1’s Celebrity Rehab hoped to cast DMX, but the judge overseeing his probation denied the request, citing DMX’s success in his court-mandated rehab program, which ends in early July. By then, filming for Celebrity Rehab would already be underway.
DMX Behind the Music Episode Details
The Behind the Music: DMX episode is scheduled to air on Monday, June 7, at 8 PM EST. Narrated by Jim Forbes, the docuseries promises in-depth footage, exclusive interviews, and a behind-the-scenes look into the life of one of hip-hop’s most intense and introspective figures.
This marks one of the first long-form television projects to focus solely on DMX since his legal issues began dominating headlines. For fans and critics alike, it offers a rare chance to understand the man behind the music—and the pain that has both driven and haunted him.
DMX’s Comeback Vision
While locked in legal battles, DMX has remained committed to making a full comeback. He has publicly vowed to regain control of his life and career. That includes reuniting with his Ruff Ryders crew and restoring the movement that put him on the map.
This episode of Behind the Music is a foundational step in that comeback plan. It serves not just as a retrospective, but as a call to action and a cry for healing. Even while incarcerated, X is telling his story on his own terms.
Fan Anticipation and Cultural Significance
DMX’s return to the spotlight through VH1 has generated serious buzz. Fans have taken to online forums and social media, expressing excitement and curiosity about what the episode will reveal. There is a shared hope that the transparency shown on Behind the Music will also reflect a genuine turning point in DMX’s life.
The new season of Behind the Music marks a significant moment for VH1. The network successfully brought back the series last fall with episodes featuring Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, T.I., and Pink, each of which drew strong ratings. DMX’s story, however, is uniquely personal, filled with tragedy, resilience, and redemption.
Looking Ahead
As June 7 approaches, all eyes are on VH1 to see how deeply they dive into the layers of Earl Simmons. The rapper has lived many lives—rapper, actor, addict, husband, father—and this new chapter could help him write his next.
With support from longtime collaborators and family, DMX hopes the power of storytelling can inspire change—not only in himself but in those facing similar battles.
In what may be his most revealing moment yet, DMX is letting the world in—not just to hear him bark, but to understand why he howls.