Swizz Beatz Pays Tribute to DMX: “He Taught Me How to Stay Real”
Swizz Beatz has once again honored the memory of his late friend and longtime collaborator, DMX, crediting the rap icon with showing him the true meaning of authenticity in both life and music.
In a recent interview with Something About Rocks, the legendary producer opened up about their deep bond, reminiscing about DMX’s humility, creative spirit, and grounded lifestyle. “X was just authentic. Even as a multi-millionaire, you wouldn’t know. He would write in abandoned buildings to get the essence,” Swizz shared. “He wasn’t into a lot of fancy cars and fancy jewellery.”
Known for producing classics like “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” Swizz praised DMX for staying rooted in the core of Hip Hop. “He was just always in the essence of music and Hip Hop and staying true to how he started,” he continued. “He wasn’t blinded by the glitz and fake industry, which separated him from most. He just taught me how to keep my boots on the ground and stay real.”
Swizz Beatz and DMX’s creative partnership spanned decades, defining the Ruff Ryders sound and reshaping East Coast rap. Following DMX’s tragic passing in 2021, Swizz played a key role in completing Exodus, the posthumous album that celebrated the rapper’s enduring voice and vision.
In an earlier interview with HipHopDX, Swizz revealed that more music from DMX remains unreleased. “We have other songs. Can we make a new X album? For sure. Will I make another X album? I don’t know. It has to feel good,” he said. Emphasizing DMX’s own involvement in Exodus, he added, “He actually produced and had all of the direction. A lot of people wanted to see X go harder, stronger — they even blamed me for it. But it’s actually what he wanted to do.”
Beyond music, Swizz Beatz has continued to evolve as an artist and entrepreneur. Most recently, he teamed up with renowned Brazilian jeweller Ara Vartanian to launch ARA x MR DEAN, a luxury jewellery collection that blends raw design with high fashion.
The collection features bold, sculptural pieces — including brooches, necklaces, cufflinks, two-finger rings, and chain bracelets — all designed to be worn daily, not just for special occasions. The debut men’s line is just the beginning, with plans to expand into gender-fluid pieces in future drops.
Describing the collaboration, Vartanian praised Swizz’s hands-on approach: “Swizz has a very strong creative presence. From the beginning, he was fully involved — contributing ideas, references and artistic sensitivity. He listens deeply and proposes clearly. The collaboration was fluid and intense. It’s rare to find someone so committed to the process — someone who understands jewellery as language, as a cultural gesture.”
Whether through music or design, Swizz Beatz continues to honour the past while pushing creative boundaries — and through it all, he carries the lessons learned from DMX at the centre of it all: stay real, stay grounded, and never lose the essence.
