Jay Z Explains Boycotting 1999 GRAMMYs To Support DMX

Jay Z and Beyoncé- 'ApeS*it' music video

Last month, DMX tragically passed away after suffering a heart attack from an apparent drug overdose. This caused the hip-hop legend to be placed under life support. Doctors waited to see if X's brain function would improve but sadly, that wasn't the case. X was on life support for a week before his family ultimately decided to take him off life support. X's funeral ended up taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. He was honored by fans in his hometown of White Plains, NY, as well.

DMX- Instagram

Someone who was always supportive of DMX was Jay Z. The fellow hip-hop legend recently appeared on an episode of "The Shop: Uninterrupted" on HBO, with LeBron James and Maverick Carter, where he discussed boycotting the 1999 GRAMMYs by not showing up. This is due to the awards show not nominating DMX at all, despite the breakout year he had with his debut studio album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot." That project was the number one album in the US in 1998, shortly after its release. X also put out his sophomore album, "Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood," which also went number one.

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DMX- Instagram

Last week, DMX's estate along with Swizz Beatz released X's first posthumous album. This is his "Exodus" project, which contained plenty of star-studded appearances. These included Nas, Jay Z, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, and more. Jay was on the "Bath Salts" song, which also had Nas on it. Many approved of X's efforts on this album, as this is supposedly his final album. The late Pop Smoke was also planned to be on Exodus but Swizz recently explained that Smoke's verse was used for another artist. 

Beyoncè- Instagram

When DMX first broke out as a star in 1998, Jay Z had a hit album at the time as well in "Vol 2...Hard Knock Life." There, Jay featured X on the song "Money Cash H*es." That ended up being one of the hottest songs on the album as New York was winning big as they were on their way to having two of the best rappers of all time.  X's latest "Exodus" album also marked his first album since 2012.

DMX- Instagram

At the time of DMX's passing, Jay-Z's name was brought up as well. This was due to rumors that Jay bought X's masters so his sons and daughters could be set financially. X's family ended up denying this being the case, in a statement to Billboard.

"There have been a few rumors following our loved one, Earl Simmons’, passing that we’d like to clear up. No one has bought Earl’s masters. Additionally, we are not selling any merch or raising money for Earl’s funeral. If anyone is requesting money for his funeral please be aware the person is a scammer. We will keep the public posted on funeral/memorial service arrangements."