DMX ‘Uncensored’: Executive Producer Says the Show Wrapped Up Filming One Month Before the Rapper’s Death

TV One’s Uncensored will tell the life story of  DMX from the rapper’s perspective on Sunday, May 16, 2021. In his episode, the Ruff Ryders emcee opened up about his childhood in Yonkers, New York, growing up with his mother, Arnett Simmons, and his explosive road to success. 

The TV One special was DMX’s final interview before he died on April 9, 2021. Uncensored’s executive producer, Jay Allen, shared with Showbiz Cheat Sheet that he agreed to sit down with the show just one month before his death. 

DMX was working on his last album while shooting ‘Uncensored’ 

Throughout his career, DMX became known for hit songs such as “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem,” “X Gon Give It to Ya,” and “Party Up.” The 50-year-old artist also gained notoriety for the hardships he faced along the way. However, he returned to Def Jam Recordings in 2020 and was working on a new album. 

While filming Uncensored, Allen said DMX shared some of his music with the show’s producers. He said the rapper was excited to present the album to his fans. DMX also declared that the last record was the first time he had multiple features by other artists. 

“He really wanted us to listen to his music,” Allen recalled. “And I remember asking him why this album was so important, and he said that he never released an album with so many features on it.” 

Allen also says that DMX’s final album allowed him to work alongside some of the artists he admired throughout his career. 

“I know he was extremely proud to have some of his peers that he worked with or beside to collaborate with him,” he said of DMX.

DMX: ‘Uncensored’ will bring his fans ‘peace’

Allen says that DMX’s interview happened because of the persistence of Uncensored’s producers. In March 2021, the show officially started filming the rapper’s story. The crew spent countless hours with DMX as they worked on producing the episode. They also became close with the rapper’s family, including his ex-wife, Tashera Simmons, and his goddaughter, Power actor Paige Hurd. 

Uncensored wrapped DMX’s episode on March 9, 2021. Several weeks later, the artist was hospitalized in White Plains, New York, due to a drug overdose. After spending multiple days on life support, DMX died on April 9, leaving behind his children and his fiancee, Desiree Lindstrom. 

When Allen learned of the rapper’s condition, he said the Uncensored team reached out to his family. He also says that they created a “bond” with DMX after working with him for several weeks. As the show prepares to premiere on Sunday, May 16, and Monday, May 17, Allen hopes DMX’s fans will get more insight into his life outside of the public eye. 

“DMX is an icon, a legend, and a father,” he explains. “We really wanted to highlight all of those things and allow his words to bring peace to his fans and his family.”

DMX: Uncensored airs on May 16 at 8 p.m. EST, followed by An Uncensored Special: DMX The Icon, which airs on Monday, May 17 at 10 p.m. EST.