Following the death of Earl Simmons, also known as DMX, in 2021, fans have not only looked back on the rapper’s career but also on the more personal things, just like Aaliyah and DMX’s relationship.
DMX and Aaliyah hit it off on the set of the 2000 American action film “Romeo Must Die” where Aaliyah played the role of Trish O’Day and DMX as Silk. After that, he took her to New York, back to his old stomping grounds at Mount Vernon and Yonkers, where they filmed the music video for “Come Back in One Piece,” which was featured as the soundtrack to the film.
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In a 2011 interview with Billboard, DMX revealed that Aaliyah personally asked him to participate in the film. He was on tour at that time, and she, along with Joel Silver, came to his dressing room to see if he wanted to be a part of it.
DMX said that most stars like her would just have their people call him about a project, but she came to meet him in person. Then he added, “I’m like, ‘Is this a trick question? You have to ask me if I want to be in a movie with Aaliyah? Hell yeah.” So, they met up in Vancouver to shoot.
While there were rumors about them dating then, the two just had a really great friendship going. According to DMX, the actress was so easy to talk to and down to earth that she made him feel very comfortable with her and himself, which was one hell of a combination in a person. As for her work, the rapper commended her incredible presence – ‘sexy but kind of gangster.’
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Unfortunately, Aaliyah was gone too soon. After she wrapped filming for her 2001 music video “Rock The Boat,” her plane crashed in the Bahamas. She was only 22.
DMX paid a sweet tribute to Aaliyah a year later with the posthumously released music video for “Miss You.” At the beginning of the video, DMX said that he was still at that phase where he was trying to accept that she was gone, so he won’t.
Instead, he would think that they just went without seeing each other for a while and that he understood why God had wanted her close because she was truly an angel on earth. He concluded his message by saying, “And in my own special way, I love you. I miss you.”
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Then, in 2011, on Aaliyah’s tenth death anniversary, he revealed that he had named one of his children after her as his personal and special tribute. It reflected how powerful and meaningful their connection was, albeit briefly.
Then, two decades after Aaliyah’s death, music fans grieved for another artist with the passing of DMX. According to an article published by PEOPLE, DMX was transported to the White Plains Hospital in New York after suffering a heart attack at his home. He was on life support for a few days before he finally died surrounded by his family.
There was an outpour of love following the news. One of the people that showed support was Aaliyah’s mom, which further showed how great Aaliyah and DMX’s relationship was. She posted a message for him on Instagram, which read, “Earl you had and still have a heart of gold. You and Baby Girl will meet again with all the beautiful people we have lost. Will never forget your kindness.”
