Kanye West raises over $1 million for DMX's family with Balenciaga tribute shirts, sold out in 24 hours
Kanye West managed to raise over $1 million for late rapper DMX's family after tribute shirts designed by Balenciaga and commissioned by Kim Kardashian's estranged husband's fashion brand Yeezy, sold out in a special online sale.
The shirts in question were long-sleeved and featured a graphic of DMX on the front with “R.I.P” printed above him, and crosses on either side. One sleeve had the date he was born, and the other the date of his death. The shirt's back features the words, "In Loving Memory", along the hemline. Sources close to Kanye West told TMZ that the shirts raised more than $1 million after going up for sale during DMX’s memorial service over the weekend. They are priced at $200 each. After being launched on the website DMX-tribute.com, they sold out in just 24 hours.
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Kanye West's performance at DMX's memorial service
In addition, the late rapper's 'Celebration of Life' memorial service at Barclays Center in New York was opened by West and his Sunday Service Choir on Saturday, April 24. In celebration of DMX, the group dressed in red hooded sweatshirts and huddled around a piano to perform a medley of songs including, 'Back to Life,' 'Keep on Movin', and more.
Kanye West opened DMX’s memorial with his Sunday Service Choir ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/E5ljVBzHPA
— mariano 🦦 (@oscos) April 24, 2021
The service started with a home video of DMX and his daughter riding a carnival ride together, with DMX holding her hand and telling her, "It's okay, daddy's here." As the choir performed an emotional rendition of "Amen," DMX's shiny red casket with the Ruff Ryders logo was front and center. The choir sang songs including Whitney Houston's recording of "Jesus Loves Me" and an emotional mix of DMX's "Ruff Ryders' Anthem."
DMX's life celebrated
Ahead of the afternoon memorial for the hip hop legend, DMX fans swarmed the lanes on foot and wheel around Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Hundreds of motorcyclists jostled for space on the road as they escorted DMX’s coffin past the borough’s iconic Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower. The New York hip hop icon — known for a string of hit singles, including “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” “What’s My Name” and “What These Bitches Want” — arrived at Barclays just after 2 pm in a bright red coffin, set in the flatbed of a monster truck emblazoned with the words “Long Live DMX.”
Swizz Beatz said what needed to be said. 💎 #DMXMemorial pic.twitter.com/hDEWAaSJ0m
— Complex (@Complex) April 25, 2021
Artists, family and friends got on stage to acknowledge the impact the Ruff Ryders rapper had on their lives. Members of the Ruff Ryders music label like Eve, Swizz Beatz, Drag-On and founding member Joaquin "Waah" Dean expressed their gratitude for the lessons he taught them. Swizz Beatz couldn't stop himself from praising DMX at his funeral service, paying ode to his life, legacy, and all he's done for them. Swizz Beatz, whose real name is Kasseem Daoud Dean, in his heartfelt speech also expressed the importance of celebrating people while they alive instead of when they are gone.
“Words can’t describe our loss,” the 'Ruff Ryders' Anthem' producer said. “But, our gain is heavy, as well, because we got a real serious person upstairs that’s looking down on us and that’s going to guide us on our journey... I just wish all of these people showed up for him when he was here. You got thousands of people claiming who they are, and [selling] tickets and things like that. This man needed everybody.” He added, "I just wish all these people showed up for him when he was here."