E.A.R.L. : The Autobiography of DMX

by D.M.X., Smokey D. Fontaine

DMX is an international superstar who has sold more than twenty million albums and defined hip-hop culture better than any of his peers. He also lived the kind of rags-to-riches story that has molded some of the best American heroes. From a smart and mischievous young boy to a teenager dubbed "Crazy Earl" to the most feared MC on the street, DMX never stopped struggling for the kind of life he knew belonged to him. Born in Yonkers, New York, to a father who abandoned him and a mother ill equipped to raise her only boy, Earl Simmons grew to hate and distrust the world around him. But a passionate talent to rhyme gave him a dream, while a lifelong companionship with stray dogs gave him the strength to go on. His journey of self-discovery began with beatings, robbery, and group homes, lead to jails, car chases, gun battles, and rap wars, and culminated in commitment, love, fame, and fortune. This is the extraordinary first-person account of a man who gives expression to the thoughts and feelings of those who have never been heard. In the process, Earl Simmons became a father, a husband, a role model, and an international icon know as DMX. This is his story.

Genres: Biography, Music, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Hip Hop, Memoir, Autobiography

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this the day our King OD'd and was hospitalized. Finished it the day X took his last breaths.

It's no secret how the system fails us as black people. It's sad that as a community how we fail our own too, our black kings especially.

It's heartbreaking how we teach our little boys to not show vulnerability. How we teach them that mental health issues are not a thing to talk about openly and candidly. How we villainize addicts and how our language and actions perpetuate stigmas towards people living with addiction.

It's sickening how we teach them that its normal to be out there packing and running the streets even before they mature. Don't even get me started on the maddening issues of 'black tax' once you make it out. Because you're never really out, you know.

We failed our King Earl. Damn, I cant believe we lost another good one.. One of our legends. Rest in Power Black King. You deserve the peace. I hope you've finally found it. I'm sorry we failed you.
Rest now.

[Josh Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX I understand why DMX has had so many ups and downs throughout his life. Beginning with his early life, DMX has had to fight for everything in his life, from the attention his mother showed other men to where his next meal would come from. While I don't condone any of the violence or stealing, I do understand why someone who has gone through so much would turn to the streets and violence as a way to express their inward anger. Despite all the odds that were stacked against him, DMX persevered to be a top selling artists and gain the fame and notiriety he always wanted...only to later reflect and desire to be all alone again. While this story is a success, I can't help but wonder about those who have been (and are) being raised in similar circumstances that don't have an outlet (such as music) and who do not have the perseverance to stick to a craft. Although he may not have intended to bring up social issues in this autobiography, I think that there are many issues in our system that stick out in this book which make us question whether there is anything else can be done to try to alleviate some of the harshest conditions some children have to endure growing up.

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book I would suggest to anyone looking for a great work of literatue, but if you're interested in hearing about the ridiculous and outrageous story of Earl Simmons(aka DMX) then you've come to the right place. I've been a fan of hip hop my whole life, and I've been a fan of DMX since I heard his first album. So when I found out that he had written an autobiography, I instantly headed to Borders and bought it. This book is written in the same light as DMX's lyrics, raw and uncut. He tells the story from when he was a young child training his dogs to snatch purses, all the way up to when he got his record deal and signed to Def Jam. If you think you had it bad, wait until you read about what DMX had to go through to get where he is at today, it didn't seem real. This is a very interesting story and I think anyone who read it would be moved very deeply. "E.A.R.L" definitely doesn't disappoint.

[britt_brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not really certain why I picked this up right at this moment. Maybe an Audible sale that I decided to get from the library? I’m often a frugal reader. Anyway, this was published in 2003, so long before his tragic death. Therefore, it’s not complete, but learning of his tumultuous childhood, how his love of dogs developed, and how he got started musically was 100% worthwhile. I wish he had narrated, but the guy who did has a similar gruff voice, so I was able to easily picture DMX.

[Sofia Aina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earl man... What a legend. Rest easy.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because I've liked some of DMX's music since he came out. I'm also a huge fan of memoirs and the like and wanted to see what his childhood and family-life was like. I got my wish.
Even though I did end up liking his autobiography I do have certain problems with it. My biggest problem is what while most of the time he seemed to talk (or write) straight from the heart, other times it was stilted. It was almost like he tried to make himself come off as more imtelligent when in actuality his words just ran around in circles and most of the time made no sense whatsoever. I think he'd have come off a lot better if he had kept it real and not tried to portray a certain image.
Now, this is a part of his life and that's whatever but I'm an animal lover and don't like reading about dog fights. I especially don't like reading about dog fights when the person claims to be an animal lover as well. He loves his dogs. Yet he had no problem teaching them to be vicious. Hmmmm. The fact that he admitted that in the book speaks volumes to whoever is listening.
He also spoke about God at certain times. Apparently, he feels that people who start out with nothing, 'in the dirt' in his words, are valued more by God than people who start out life with something or another. It really makes me wonder if this is actually thoughts of his or if he just popped off with the first thing that came to mind. That gives anything else I've ever heard a run for it's money as the most stupid thing I've ever heard (or read). In essance, God loves and values DMX more than me then. Hmmm, that sucks.
Even with the parts that I had complaints against, I still liked the book- reading about his childhood was entertaining and learning about his come up in the rap world was even more so.
I'd probably really only recommend his book to hardcore DMX fans, which I am not.

[Jessica Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I recommend it to anyone and everyone who's a DMX fan. You'll get an empathic view of his upbringing and why may say he's misunderstood. I would read this book time and time again!!!!

[Bobby Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX by Earl Simmons or by his rapper name DMX is a memoir. The book is about DMX’s entire life from the beginning to the present and all of the struggles and good times that came in between.
The main setting of this book is mainly in Yonkers from 1970-1990s. This time period and setting really shapes Earl’s life because rap, which is the type of music that he is famous for, was just on the rise and areas like Yonkers were especially part of the movement. The main characters in this book are DMX himself who grows as the book progresses, he is very intelligent and is recognized by his teachers as being smart but he is also very misbehaved. Blacky is DMX’s fist dog and plays a big role in his life. Blacky is a black pit bull that DMX stole from a junkyard and used the dog to gain respect and steal from others during his high school days. This companionship proves to be a big one in DMX’s life. DMX’s mom also plays a big role in the story. She is a young single mom who has had children with many men and is constantly bringing men home. At first she is like any other mom who is defensive of their child but as time progresses and DMX misbehaves more and more she becomes strict. DMX starts not even thinking about rap until some friends introduced him to it and from there he began to work at becoming better and better at it he starts to become recognized by many local people and grows bigger as the book goes on. Throughout all of this there are also many ups and downs about his life that make the book intriguing.
My favorite part of the book has to be all of DMX’s plots and ideas of ways to do things. He is constantly thinking of ways to either get him out of trouble or do something that is so brilliant that he won’t get in trouble.

[Brian Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoyed DMX's music, but I'm not like a super fan or anything. However, this book had me within its grips the entire time. Highly recommend

[JBucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and possibly the most complex rappers ever was the subject of this masterfully crafted autobiography. There were numerous facets to him. I can say that having a peek into his life, reading about the way he was raised (or lack there of), improved my understanding of his lyrics and the reasons behind his personality! Like many people, he had flaws and committed atrocities, yet he was also a light. Reading this, I think he was genuinely able to declare that he had discovered his calling in life before his end!

As well, the audiobook was AMAZING!!!!!!!

“The greatest gift the Lord has given me is the gift of the word, the ability to communicate with, and I know now that I'm here to share everything that I have learned. That's why I've always said I don't want sales; I want souls. Fuck a sale; a sale is eleven dollars, thirteen dollars. But if you give me a soul, I've got that for life, and I'm going to try my best to bring it to the right place.” ~DMX

[Brandon Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who’s heard a DMX song knows this man has experienced some pain, but the depth and range of pain explained on these pages surprised even me, someone familiar with his work. This is memoir at its rawest, an unvarnished portrait of the suffering and tragedy of human life and a celebration of the persistence and determination of the human spirit. I was taken aback by how much I loved this book - this is far from a typical musician bio. While others here have called out that it may not be a beautifully written book, I would argue that it is always authentic. Literature should be a representation of a human voice - this more than meets that threshold.

[Jessie Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y-O! RIP DMX 🖤

[Jahan Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

X will give it to you

[Mark Friedel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t love rap but I stand behind the rap autobiography as worthy reading. They’re storytellers by trade and are always candid.

Bark bark

[Oddie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to believe that the least interesting way to dig into your life is to write about it explicitly. As a result I shied away auto-biographies. That was a dumb opinion to have and E.A.R.L. is a case in point as to why auto-biographies are important outside of oblique literary hand-waving.

E.A.R.L. is ghost-written. This raises some interesting points about ghost-writing that I want to write about (god bless Bojack Horseman, one of the only things I've seen engage with this.) The ghost-writer is Smokey D Fontaine, the now Editor-In-Chief at Apple. Looking him up online, it feels as if a corporate coup has seized all aspects of his persona. Although this is the only book he was involved in writing, there is barely any mention of his career as an author.

This baffles me. Smokey D Fontaine is a skilled, skilled writer. He does something I didn't even realise was important with ghost-writing until he fucking did the thing. That is, he gently inserts himself into the body of the work, making you aware of his presence in its creation through small interactions with DMX. Those glimpses of Smokey undercut any fear that this is not DMX's voice. The pretense that this is one person writing as another disappears. We're left listening, as Smokey is.

I can't help but wonder if the conspicuous absence of E.A.R.L. from his bios is something to do with a pervasive mist of cynicism and snobbery that surrounds ghost-writing. This is something that gained considerable clarity through the press circuit of comedian Todd Glass. Todd released his auto-biography a few years back chronicling his difficulties coming out in the LA comedy scene. It does a great job of channeling Todd's tone, snapping fast between silly and serious. He obviously got ribbed on a lot of comedy podcasts. A lot of the jokes were about the fact that his life story, this thing that represented what he is and what he has accomplished, was ostensibly written by someone else.

There's plenty to say on process here (again god bless Bojack Horseman) but I'm writing this to explore the broad strokes of why this literary snobbery doesn't work.

Todd Glass and Earl Simmons are two people who have displayed their lives over and over through words, Todd through his podcast and DMX through his music. These are the mediums they have mastered, that they have let fight for them. And both offer something different with regard to telling stories. Rap and comedy have different expectations, different end goals, different orbits of engagement to works of literature. They can mix and mash, digress etc. It's almost impossible to encapsulate, aside from saying that they are, indeed, completely different to books. Of course.

This is what good ghost-writers like Smokey D Fontaine will do. They will present DMX's spoken story, his tone of voice, his flows, his rage, through another medium without losing too much of the intensity. This book mixes nuggets of spending time with DMX as he is now, pieces of other lyrics, some dialogue straight from the mouth of DMX at different times of his life, all things that his raps meld together to tell stories.

There is also the breaking up of cultural tribes within ghost-writing. Rap fans can be insular with their appreciation of the genre. People who claim not to like rap stubbornly push back. There is a continental heft of different styles within the genre of rap, and it's tragic to hem all the exploration of death and anger and faith within DMX's music within a single cultural bracket.

Also, if you are like me and think It's Dark and Hell is Hot is a piece of art, you can take pleasure in something that fleshes out what you already grappled with.

So if the process is strong, then we need ghost-writing in literature. After all, without the merging and melding of other story-telling mediums with literature via said ghost-writers, we wouldn't have the brutal climactic moment of DMX walking into his school with a shot-gun hidden in his trouser leg :D

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an atrocious human being. Yes, it’s in large part due to his childhood, and he was absolutely failed in many ways, but by the time you are 30, you certainly have had time to mature and have some self reflection. So, if you still think that a cool story to include in your memoir is about teaching your dog to kill other helpless animals, and casually mention him guarding a giant pile of cat corpses that he killed like it’s a brag, with no acknowledgement about his fucked up that is, then I have to think it’s possible you are just awful, and will remain awful, end of story.

I can’t believe anyone could be that disconnected from reality that they can claim they love their dog, and then put him in dog fights. I think the only explanation is that he honestly had no clue what love was, and was incapable of feeling it. There is an element of ignorance to it, which I admit likely stems from his childhood, but his only idea of love is that he could feel when he was receiving it, when others showed him love, but could never feel it himself for others to give it back. So he knew his dog loved him and could feel that and thought that meant he loved his dog too, but he was incapable of actually loving anyone, because he never learned how to love someone. It’s sad, and explains a lot, but it also isn’t an excuse, and doesn’t make him less atrocious. He was talented, and seemed to have been intelligent, but that doesn’t cancel out the sociopathic behaviour.

Oh, and the fact that he kept giving money to people in need in front of the author made me roll my eyes so hard. Like that wasn’t completely a consciously manipulative move? Just in case he didn’t get it either, DMX made sure to explain later on that the most real and decent people who have success will go back to their hood and stop and give money to people on the street. I mean, he spends an entire book basically defending robbing people as though he were entitled and it was ok because he was “in need” (even though he clearly often wasn’t), never apologizing for basically terrorizing people to get whatever he decided he wanted, but okay cool, he hands a few bucks to some people on the street and acts like it makes him a good person. No, a good person would have done some self reflecting, would be apologizing and acknowledging they did wrong. Instead, he’s either justifying his actions, or outright bragging about the bad things he’s done. Dude didn’t even seem to think he’d ever done anything wrong.

I hope maybe in his remaining years he actually had some growth, a quick google search makes that seem unlikely. After finishing the book, I don’t feel like I can stomach reading much more about him to find out.

[Darnetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a HUGE DMX fan so when I saw this book, I had to get it. The editing was a bit off as well as the timeline, but overall it was what I expected. DMX's realness has always attracted me and it was good to see that portrayed in his autobiography too. I'm a true believer that genius is crazy and I wish he had gotten the help he needed long ago. This is a good book for any X fan and you will be surprised to know that there is more to Earl than rapping. I look forward to his future endeavors (beyond the cell, of course).

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Love This Man

DMX is so refreshing! As a rapper I enjoy his style because it's original and he is not all about the flash. I purchased this book as an adoring fan and I was not disappointed. He details his life and how he came to be and where he is today. I truly appreciated his honesty. I got "DOG LOVE" for this brotha!

[RK Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous!

[D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

DMX’s life and personality have potential to make for a great book, but this fell short as I found myself waiting for it to end… then even the ending was lackluster.

I’ve listened to memoirs where I’m pleasantly surprised by how likable, respectable, interesting, and/or relatable the writer is. I’ve also listened to one or two memoirs that made me like the writer less than I did going into it. Although I try to separate the writing and the story from the person, I also imagine those who take on the task of writing about their life would want to put their best foot forward, and reveal something endearing or relatable to the reader. Unfortunately, E.A.R.L. by DMX fits into the second category for me.

I became a fan of DMX in the late 90’s as there were a handful of his, and his label’s songs, I really liked. At no point, though, did I consider DMX a top 5 MC, but instead, a rapper with a distinct voice and persona who had some catchy and unique songs. As time passed, my respect for him grew because, despite his harsh and gritty demeanor, he became a man who prayed. He was very open about his faith and shared the importance of God in his life. Sadly, though, that lovable and loving aspect of DMX was almost completely absent in this book, but instead, overshadowed by DMX’s lack of empathy, lack of work ethic, impatience, righteousness, and entitlement. He believed he was the best rapper, but whenever the public reception of his music or the label executives’ rejections shown otherwise, DMX responded with anger, self pity, and lashed out with violent and criminal behavior. He refused to work a regular job, but instead continually justified stealing from, and harming others. Not when he dictated the stories, NOR when his co-writer compiled the book, NOR when his editor revised it did anyone fit his words with his actions. For example, whenever his rapping prowess was discussed, some of his lyrics were included for the sake of illustrating or proving his abilities; but the examples were all subpar and simplistic raps showcasing violent threats instead of exemplary wordplay. Similarly, he discussed his wife lovingly, but did not treat her as such. Strangely, even TV interviews of DMX show a much more likable persona than this book did, which along with the mundane storytelling, is a reflection on the writing.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

And then there was X.

We lost so much when DMX passed. Larger than life is the best description for him. There was such a void in hip hop after the losses of Biggie and 2Pac but X with energy, his rage, his flows, the darker tones in his lyrics against those pounding beats.... there was nothing like him before or since. "E.A.R.L." came out in 2002, so reading now, there's a big gap from when it leaves off until we lost X. What a journey though, the biographical narrative is punctuated by these interludes of Fontaine spending time with X in the desert and seeing him in more private moments where he really opens up, which make for a compelling companion to the lyrics that introduce most chapters. It's X's story through his stories and through his lyrics.

And over the course of the work, you see how his lyrics evolved, from a dude winning rap battles to figuring out his style to arriving at the substance and themes he became known for.

While DMX will talk about his faith, it feels like there's a real bit of hell in him. Crime, some of it truly repugnant, are a part of his story. It's hard to reconcile his moments of faith though. Only God can judge him, and that's probably the point, but it's harsh at times to put the whole story together... that's what he's been through. It's dark, and hell is hot, but he never gave up on believing in the light.

[Kiera ☠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I finished this book, I was crying. Brought to tears for the 3rd time in this read. In retrospect, reading the Epilogue, knowing what we know now, my heart broke a bit. This was an emotional, raw and incredibly real look at Earl’s early life and career. Published in 2003, there’s a lot of his story missing and now I need to look for another biography for the rest of his story haha.

I loved that this was in his voice, his own telling. Absolutely captivated, I devoured this in 2 days. I could not put this down and when I was forced to, I was counting down the minutes until I could pick it up again.

I’ve always connected with DMXs music because I connect with the story he’s told in his raps. I relate a lot to his struggles and his childhood and now, after reading this, I realize I connect a lot with his way of looking at life. DMX was deeply connected to his essence, his soul. Unapologetically him and I think that was his appeal. He had nothing to hide, nothing to lose (most of his life) and he never cared to change or adjust to fit a mould other people thought he should fit into.

Excuse me while I listen to him on repeat for the rest of the year (more than I already do lol). If you love his music, please read his story. Flesh of his Flesh, Blood of his Blood. RIP X.

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

DMX's childhood was extreme. Being introduced to hard liquor at seven years old, to hard drugs as a teenager, abandoned by a father, beaten by his mother and her partners, in and out of group homes and prisons due to his criminality, it was only music and his ambitions to be a successful rapper that saved him from an early death on the streets.

It's these kind of problems and obstacles that contributed to his addictions and the constant mental health issues that he battled and helps understand the man he became and the lyrics behind the music he released.

As far as autobiographies go, he definitely didn't hold back in telling all the crazy things that happened to him and terrible things he did and revelled in, although I'd have liked to have seen maybe more introspection around the things he did. I enjoyed the parts (the odd page here and there as well as the entire Epilogue) between Smokey D.Fontaine and DMX, following him around and talking to him. I think more of that throughout would have elevated the book further.

[DeMilya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Earl "DMX" Simmons was the definition of determined. He knew he was meant to be a rapper, and not just a chain-wearing, big house buying, diamonds shinning rapper (which let me say once you get to that status I ain't mad at cha because you earned it), but DMX wanted to give the people something - take them and Hip-Hop back it's street roots, back to communities where it started and speak from a place of realness that ones one who have been there know about.

Of course, there were parts where I was like bruh get your life together (all the dumb stuff prolonged his gift but also gave it meaning), but I've come to realize everything is for a purpose. We all have our battles and addictions, kind of wish he dived more into in the book, but they are just moments in our lives and shouldn't be the ones that define us. DMX wasn't refined or allowed himself to be defined. He was just himself. DMX was real, and I hope he felt the love before moving onto the ultimate love of all. "...but my life will be poetic" (294). And, it was Earl; DMX had left the building and Earl went into the Gate.

[MS. KYM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly Raw! That was DMX 🌹
To read how Earl Simmons' alter Egos: DMX, Darkman, and X transpired, one will be able grasp & understand his lyrics.

As one who owns, and has listened to DMX CDs, it was interesting & astonishing to read how he came into the rap game..
Nonetheless, Earl (before DMX existed) childhood up til his teen years was agonizing, as well as chaotic.
Though there were many bouts in-out of boys' centers & facilities, there was Earl's determination & strong-will for survival, and passion to express himself, and be heard...


DMX' voice reverberated throughout the entire Autobiography.. especially the quoted statements.... His whole demeanor, be it positive, negative, or neutral, resonates on each page... No sugar-coating..

The reader is introduced to Earl's family; place of residences; flyers for rap battle events with variety of pictures in the book.
The Appendix (Song Lyrics): DMX's lyrics transcribed for the first time! 🤎

[LaShana Claude]

Death. What can be your purpose when your muse dies? Why did you focus your attention on their life and does the life of you make sense now that your mind knows DMX? Can it be that the two of you plus the photographer are forever related and the loudness of the music is cacophonous enough to lose the idea that I could ever understand why birds wander and humans think in stable positions that allows the cocaine and the bullets to take a shot at the human flesh created by God. Let us pray and let them prey but never think that the seat that cannot be filled will ever be filled by the truth. it's just another day where we congratulate the Gods and hate. Stay away from people and fly right cause the left ain't got nothing you can remember useful to your need for a sandwich absent of shock but fulfilling if the grain sown respects your own. Good luck.

[Megan Bowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not gonna lie... I kinda wish I had left DMX in the early 00's where I found him.

I only really knew his music growing up and almost nothing about him as a person. I wasn't shocked to learn that he had an extremely rough time growing up, being let down by his family (and severely abused by his mother), his schools, and the system in general, but I was shocked to learn that he took almost zero accountability for anything he did, everything always came back to how everyone failed him . And I mean, I get it? That kind of abuse at such a young age does so much long-lasting damage. It's hard to feel like it's not the world against you when all you've faced is hardships and setbacks and abuse, but at a certain point, you have to start looking inwards as well. Also, you know - the animal cruelty.

[Джан Тефик · Rating 5 out of 5]

Една биография за да е стойностна, трябва да е автентична, искрена, да е от първо лице...и да има снимков материал ( бонус си е ). Биографията на Ърл Симънс , по-известен като DMX е точно такава. Автентична, изцяло искрена - не скриваща никакви детайли от детството му и младостта, момче израснало без баща, преминал през детски тормоз, изправителни учреждения, затвори, обири на хора, кражби на коли и т.н. Книгата описва подробно мрачното пътешествие на момче, което става мъж, мъж който става артист и артист, който става световна икона. Човек , който преследва целите и мечтите си до последно, дори да стига дъното отново и отново. Задължителна за всички хип-хоп души ( souls* , не "хора" ) !

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had read this, it probably would be 2 stars. It got old kind of fast. The audio version is 4.5 to 5 stars. I loved hearing about DMX’s early life, and how he came up in the streets in Yonkers, and how he found his way to success. I believe the audio version was recorded after his death, and hearing his story in (kinda) his voice really made me sad to think about how well he was doing at the pinnacle of his success: married, kind of stable, staying out of trouble… and then to see how his past just couldn’t let go of him. It explained a lot and helped me to understand the man he would eventually become.

[Zulfiqar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An autobiographical narrative of Earl “Ruff Ryder, Dark Man X’s.” upbringing in the 1970s crack epidemic Mount Vernon, New York. Behind the multi platinum hip hop success and film career DMX is plagued with chronic drug use, infidelity, and frequent arrests. The book chronicles his impoverished childhood in the ghetto suffering consistent bronchitis and asthma. Both sad and fond memories with family and close friends are shared. We witness through his eyes his early adolescent exposure to drugs and alcohol. Tortured by his past demons endearing physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his mother and her boyfriends. We discover his love for Gospel and rap music inspire him to become an MC, battle rapper and lyricist as means of protection from the foster homes and youth correctional facilities Many of these early traumatic experiences will eventually shape his lyrics and future.