BET Awards: Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz lead moving tribute to late rapper DMX

The 2021 BET Awards honored the late great rapper DMX during Sunday’s ceremony at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.    

Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Swizz Beatz and Griselda teamed up for the electrifying tribute that celebrated his life and music with renditions of his songs that helped shape the hip hop landscape beginning in the early 1990s. 

With Rhymes and Beatz standing by his side, Method Man kicked things off with a free-flowing rap, with a spoken word feel. After nearly a minute of the rapper going acapella, Method Man would introduce Griselda to the stage. 

Electrifying: Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Swizz Beatz led a tribute to legendary late rapper DMX at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday

RIP: DMX (born Earl Simmons) suffered a heart attack at his home on April 2, and died one week later at the age of 50

With the help of the audience, the rappers did renditions of iconic DMX (born Earl Simmons) tracks, including Slippin’, Where The Hood At?, Ruff Ryders’ Anthem, and Party Up (Up In Here).

At one point, actor Michael K. Williams, best known for The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, and Lovecraft Country, jumped into the mix to help kick off X Gon’ Give It To Ya.

Rounding out the medley, the group also debuted a new song from DMX’s posthumous album, Exodus, which was released nearly two months he suffered a heart attack at his home in early April, and died a week later. 

Heartfelt: With Rhymes and Beatz standing by his side, Method Man kicked the tribute off with a free-flowing rap, with a spoken word feel

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Drop a beat: After nearly a minute of the rapper going acapella, Method Man would introduce Griselda to the stage, which included Conway The Machine

In another dose of star power, actor Michael K. Williams, of The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, and Lovecraft Country fame, joined in on the mix.

By the end of the tribute, a spoken word segment by DMX, where he offered some words of wisdom, played over the sound system as a violin player added a musical touch to the outro. 

Desiree Lindstrom, DMX’s fiance and mother of his 15th child, was spotted in the audience.      

The new Exodus album , which is the same name as the youngest of DMX’s 15 children, Exodus Simmons, was produced by Beatz, and features a healthy dose of lyrics based on ‘themes of redemption.’ 

United: It didn’t take long before stage began to fill up with artists lending their talents

Star power: At one point, actor Michael K. Williams, best known for The Wire, Boardwalk Empire, and Lovecraft Country, jumped into the mix for a rendition of X Gon’ Give It To Ya.

Work on the collection of new songs had commenced prior to his death at Snoop Dogg’s studio in Los Angeles.

Griselda, U2 front man Bono, Lil Wayne, and DMX’s daughter, Sonovah, make guest appearances on the album.

Exodus debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, giving him his eighth top 10 album on the chart, dating back to his debut, 1998’s It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot.

He also has the distinction of being the first artist to debut an album at No. 1 five times in a row on the Billboard 200 charts.  

In all, the New York native would go on to sell over 74 million records worldwide.    

Medley: The tribute included renditions of iconic DMX (born Earl Simmons) tracks like Slippin’, Where The Hood At?, Ruff Ryders’ Anthem, and Party Up (Up In Here)

Gone but not forgotten: The rappers ended by dropping  X’s in honor of DMX

The album, which is the same name as the youngest of DMX’s 15 children, Exodus Simmons, was produced by Beatz, features a healthy dose of lyrics based on ‘themes of redemption.’ 

Work on the album had commenced prior to his death at Snoop Dogg’s studio in Los Angeles.

Griselda, U2 front man Bono, Lil Wayne, and DMX’s daughter, Sonovah, make guest appearances on the album

Exodus debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, giving him his eighth top 10 album on the chart, dating back to his debut, 1998’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot.

He also has the distinction of being the first artist to debut an album at No. 1 five times in a row on the Billboard 200 charts.  

In all, the New York native would go on to sell over 74 million records worldwide.

Premiere: During the tribute, the group debuted a new song from DMX’s posthumous album, Exodus, which was released nearly two months after his death in April