DMX's handwritten spiritual journal releases November 17
The book, titled The Gospel According to DMX, collects prayers, lyrics, and sermons written by the late rapper Earl Simmons.
By Amina Howard ·
A collection of handwritten spiritual writings by the late rapper DMX will hit shelves on November 17. The book, titled The Gospel According to DMX, gathers prayers, sermons, lyrics, and journal entries created by Earl Simmons, the artist's real name.
The volume documents Simmons' lifelong faith, which influenced both his music and his personal life. He often recorded these reflections in brief moments, writing them on napkins, receipts, and hotel notepads. The text presents these unfiltered notes in a format designed to resemble a Bible.
Simmons expressed his desire to serve as a religious leader in a 2016 interview. "That’s definitely the final destination. Or, a destination. You never know how far God is going to allow me to get or how many people He is going to allow me to reach," he stated. In April 2020, he further engaged his audience with a Bible study session on Instagram Live during the early months of the pandemic.
The publication includes additional contributions from key figures in Simmons' life. Rakim wrote a moving foreword, while spiritual mentor Pastor Apostle Barbara King and members of the artist's estate also provided introductory remarks. An appendix lists the Psalms that shaped his spiritual journey.
The book is not a religious doctrine. It contains explicit language and serves as an intimate look at the private devotions of a man whose faith was as fierce as his artistry. The release date is set for next week, following a period of anticipation for fans of the hip-hop icon.
