The Late Grammy-Nominated Rapper DMX Gets Honor with Street Naming in Hometown of Yonkers

On June 12th, 2026, the late rapper DMX was immortalized as a legend in his hometown of Yonkers in the Ross F. Calcagno Housing Projects. The intersection of Brook Street and School Street is officially Earl “DMX” Simmons Way. His immediate family, devoted fans, neighbors, members of the media, and city officials gathered to honor the legendary rapper, actor, and city philanthropist on his 50th birthday.

DMX passed away on April 9th, 2021, at White Plains Hospital in New York from cardiac arrest induced by a cocaine overdose in his home. Five years later, DMX received his posthumous honor in a ceremony, which was voted on unanimously by the City Council of Yonkers on May 27th, at 80 School Street, where the rapper grew up.

DMX rose to prominence with his raw and intense sound and reference to his strong belief in Christianity in 1998 with his debut album, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, and second album, Flesh of My Flesh and Blood of My Blood, released in the same year, both reached #1 with the successful  “The Ruff Ryders Anthem”.

His subsequent  three  albums would also debut at  #1 on the Billboard 200 with chart-topping hits on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks, like   “Party Up (Up in Here)” and “What’s My Name?”, selling over 23.3 million copies. Notably, is the first artist in Def Jam History to have first five studio albums debut at number one from 1998 to 2003.

Beyond his music achievements, DMX was  recognize as an actor with his debut role in the Hype Williams’ movie Belly in 1998 alongside with Grammy-winning rapper Nas. He went on to star in Romeo Must Die(2000) with the late Grammy-nominat R&B singer Aaliyah, Exit Wounds(2001) with Steven Seagal and Cradle 2 the Grave (2003) with Actress Gabrielle Union.

The official ceremony was adjacent to a large mural honoring the rapper, which New York artist Floyd Simmons painted in 2021. The ceremony was open with the host of the ceremony, Deputy Communications Director of the City of Yonkers, Lisa Reyes. 

“DMX carried Yonkers throughout his career, and now today we are here to memorialize him as Earl “DMX’ Simmons Way,” said Reyes. “Known for his signature dog growl and high-energy performance style, his style was profoundly shaped by his faith, “ she said.

Following these remarks, Rev. Dr. Nigel O. Cole of the Community Pastor Church will open the ceremony with a prayer. “We are gathered here today to acknowledge the life of Earl “DMX” Simmons. We thank the lord for his mother, his family, his friends, the fans that are gathered here to memorialize his legacy. We come here today for the lyrics, songs and memories Earl has given us from the streets and immortalized him on the streets he grew up in,” said Rev. Cole. “We are grateful for what he did for Yonkers.” 

Following the opening remarks, the  Mayor of the City of Yonkers, Mike Spano, took the podium and reflected on his shared roots coming from Southwest Yonkers.  “This recognition carries personal significance,”  said Mayor Spano. He was a man who always gave back to his community. Those qualities shaped DMX and reflected through his work, life and legacy. His energy was unmatched,” he said.  He represented this city on the world stage and connected with people because he was real. I got to meet DMX when he came back to Yonkers with his yearly turkey drives. It never made headlines, but he was a man who cared about his community. He always found his way back home.”

NYS Senate Majority Leader Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins followed. She took a moment to recount on her first encounter with DMX at the landmark Yonkers music store Vision Quest on South Broadway. “ I met him and many times with his turkey drives, and the local community center. DMX in his life and his death and maximize his moments,” said Cousins.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins next took the stage. “DMX became the most successful and influential hip-hop artist of his generation, and was raised right here on School Street,” said Jenkins. “ He always said connect to the community. I remembered meeting him when he was standing in front of  33 South Broadway on the 3rd floor of Enterprises, where the recording studios for Ruff Ryders were,” he said.

City Council Member of District 3 Tasha Diaz took the stage with pride. “Today is a great day for the City of Yonkers and the School Street Community,” said Diaz. She highlighted DMX’s impact not in music. But in his local community. “He gave a community that often left out  and overlooked hope. She said. “Let this street naming serve as a place for individuals as a place to visit when they feel when they need to be reminded to never give up.”

The event was also attended by DMX’s fiancée and estate co-administrator, Desiree Linderstorm, and her son, Exodus Simmons. DMX’s  daughter, Sasha Simmons, who serves as co-administrator  of her father’s estate, shared moving remarks with the community,

“I have the privilege of being responsible for protecting and promoting my father’s legacy,” she said. “It is a role I don’t take lightly, because his music gave people hope. His honesty made people feel seen and every day we are reminded of the impact of the lives he touched. Today is not about celebrating a hip-hop legend, it’s about honoring a hometown hero.”

Joaquin “Waah” Dean and Darrin “Dee” Dean, the founders of Ruff Ryders Label and discoverers of DMX in front of 80 School Street,  came to share some words on DMX, noting, “We’ve been here since day one working with him,” said Waah. “Today is more than a street naming. Today is a celebration of a son of Yonkers, whose voice, spirit and legacy continue to inspire people all over the world,”  he said. “For the Ruff Ryders, X was more than an artist; he was our brother”

“X will never be forgotten!” said Dee, the producer of the late rapper’s albums. “His music was heartfelt and most of the things he rhymed about was what he went through,” he said. “He loved his music”.

The unveiling concluded with the final reveal of the new street sign. Crowds gathered   to take photos underneath the new sign with  special guests, Harlem-based rapper Scarlip, DMX’s ex-wife and  mother of his four children, Xavier Simmons, Tacoma Simmons, Sean Simmons, and Praise Mary Ella, Tasha Simmons, took photos underneath the street sign.

DMX’s legacy, music, and faith continue posthumously. Since his passing, three major posthumous projects have been released: Exodus (2021), Let Us Pray: Chapter X (2024), and DMX Features (2025). His album Exodus, described as both a hip-hop and gospel project, received a nomination for Best Rap Song at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

Looking ahead, rapper 50 Cent and his company G-Unit are producing a personal audio documentary titled Look through My Eyes: Becoming DMX, hosted by Yonkers native Grammy-nominated rapper Jadakiss, and will be available sometime later this year.

Additionally,  there will be a postmortem book release, The Gospel According to DMX, scheduled for November 2026. This collection, curated by the Estate of Earl “DMX” Simmons, features the rapper’s raw, personal prayers, sermons, and lyrics,  originally handwritten on receipts, napkins, and hotel notepads.

Finally, the artist  of the mural in the Calcagno Housing Projects took a moment to share his reflections on the  mural and its meaning. Chosen by the family of DMX to paint the mural. He painted the mural because of the strong bond he had with the rapper and told what DMX meant to him, saying” he  was part of the same walk of my hip-hop past path.”