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Halfway into the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards Tuesday night we were all surprised with a blast from the past. When the dark stage lights turned on and revealed DMX with producer Swizz Beatz, we all knew one thing, it was show time! His distinctive growl and fearless stage presence put an immediate smile on everyone’s face. Folks cheered and roared loudly, he had one everlasting question “WHERE MY DOGS AT?”

Neatly groomed, in shape and on point, Dark Man X performed some of his smash hits that had everyone “losing their mind, up in there…up in there!” The likes of Laurieann GibsonBusta RhymesLL Cool J and Blind Fury were all spotted jamming and mouthing the words to the songs. It seems DMX was welcomed back with open arms. However, with a troubled past and a history of continuous drug and alcohol abuse can he make a healthy comeback?

 DMX rose to fame in the late 1990’s, he wasted no time breaking records. In 1998, he released two albums in the same year (Its Dark and Hell is Hot & Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood) both topped Billboard charts and sold millions. Immediately following these back to back releases, DMX released his third album And Then There Was X, which like the first two, soared to number one. Three straight albums in less than two years to top the charts? Historic. And Then There Was X eventually went six times platinum. In 2001, DMX dropped The Great Depression traditionally following up with anther album Grand Champ in 2003. To no surprise, both albums debuted at number one making DMX the only rapper in history to have 5 albums debut at number one. Okay, we get it he can sell albums, but that’s not only he could do. Our favorite Ruff Ryder took his talents to Hollywood; in 2000 his breakout role was alongside actor Jet Li in Romeo Must Die. His convincing on-screen performance was able to land him additional roles in successful actions films like Exit Wounds and Cradle 2 the Grave.

Ground breaking success aside, its unfortunate that DMX has had continuous run-ins with the law. This has tampered with his career and eventually destroyed it for years. Sometimes for petty crimes like driving with out a license and often times when he did have a license it was suspended. His most bogus offense came in 2004 when he was caught at JFK International Airport on criminal impersonation charges; he claimed to be a federal agent while under the influence of drugs. It became evident to fans and family that DMX needed help beyond rehab. During an interview in jail, DMX had one request “pray for me.” Industry friends and fans did just that, it took some time but after his performance this past Tuesday it seems as though he is getting it together.

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“Anybody can bounce back.” Claimed Swizz Beatz in a recent interview about his buddy DMX. “X was a winner already. Now it’s just a matter of getting that title back. It’s like a boxing fight; you win some you lose some. Bottom line is, he’s a winner. It’s just on when he wants to win again. It’s all up to him.”

While DMX’s troubles have left him on a hiatus, many labeled his career dead, but during his BET performance he came alive. It was so good to see him rise above the ashes and dust himself off. Being that DMX did not miss a beat, remembered every lyric and demonstrated an amazing stage presence, he surely has what it takes to make a comeback. It felt like 1998 again. DMX has raw talent; things like this cannot be erased. Now at 40 years old, DMX has since reunited with Swizz Beatz and has confirmed that he will be making a comeback. The pair recently appeared on 106 & Park, when asked about making movies again DMX replies “Yup…I got a couple offers on the table…[but] if it don’t fit me I ain’t gon’ do it.”

DMX is essential to Hip Hop music; he will always be welcomed back with opened arms. “I’m so happy #DMX is back! His music helped me get thru so much in my life #pureexcitement” tweeted Amber Rose.

Lathleen Ade-Brown