Three weeks before his death, DMX sat down for a candid conversation with TV One’s autobiographical series Uncensored. The special episode, which the network confirmed was the rap icon’s final recorded interview, will air on May 16, TV One said Friday.
“We have one hour with the late rapper in his own words,” TV One Chairman and CEO Cathy Hughes noted in a statement. “For DMX to be with us just three weeks before God called him home, I believe it’s truly divine intervention.”
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Uncensored is produced for TV One by Eric Tomosunas, Keith Neal, James Seppelfrick, and Nikki Byles of Swirl Films. Executive producers include Paul Hall and Jay Allen.
The series gives celebrities an opportunity to provide first-hand accounts of their success and the obstacles they faced in their careers. Hughes revealed the team behind the series continued to pursue an interview with DMX, even after he said “no.”
“I thank Nikki from Swirl films for staying the course because he kept telling her ‘no’, but thankfully we were able to make it happen. His family, fan club, friends, and supporters will be happy with the way he told his story for the last time,” she said.
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TV One described the interview as DMX’s “most transparent to date.”
The episode of Uncensored airs Sunday, May 16 at 8 p.m. ET/7C, immediately followed by the annual Urban One Honors hosted by Erica Campbell and Roland Martin at 9 p.m. ET/8C.
DMX, who was born Earl Simmons, died on Friday, April 9, after suffering a “catastrophic cardiac arrest.” He was 50 years old.
The “X Gon’ Give It To Ya” rapper was remembered at a funeral last Sunday, attended by many in the music industry. A day earlier, a poignant memorial service was held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where the New York native was honored with music and powerful tributes.
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More than 200,000 fans watched the livestream on DMX’s YouTube channel. During the service, the late rapper was honored by his 15 children, and members of the Ruff Ryders collective, including Swizz Beatz, Eve, Drag-On, and The Lox, as well as rapper Nas.
“I am seriously the luckiest woman in the world to have known DMX as the man that I knew — a man, a father and a friend,” Eve said. “This is so hard y’all. What I pray is that his journey was smooth. I know that he will rest in power, rest in love, but most of all, he will rest in peace.”
Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir performed Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life” and “Keep On Movin’.”
