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6:57 PM PT — The adminstrators of DMX‘s estate tell TMZ … “We were surprised and disappointed to learn of this auction, which is not authorized and was not cleared by the Estate of Earl “DMX” Simmons.”
They continue … “The Estate holds rights in the recordings and written materials being offered for sale — including significant intellectual property rights — all of which we will fiercely protect. We consider this a violation of the Estate’s rights and will be pursuing appropriate action.”
DMX‘s memory will live on thanks to an upcoming auction … GottaHaveRockandRoll is unleashing a one-stop shut’em down, open-up shop full of the late Ruff Ryders rapper’s earliest moments en route to becoming a hip-hop legend!!!
The treasure trove of DMX goodies features over 30 mind-blowing lots of rap relics and focuses on his rise to fame between 1992-1994 … and is expected to fetch $20,000-$40,000!!!
GottaHaveRockandRoll President Dylan Kosinski tells TMZ Hip Hop that one of DMX’s earliest close music industry pals provided the artifacts to the auction house … there’s even a poster when he opened for Wu-Tang Clan in 1994!!!
The revelation is troubling for DMX’s first wife, Tashera Simmons, who tells us… “The seller is not a family member to our knowledge, the auction is disheartening and insensitive as these precious items should go to Earl’s children.”
The cassettes are being sold as artifacts … same with the VHS tapes. He recorded everything himself, took the footage himself, owned all the equipment, and will get the proceeds from the auction.
X became a massive success in 1998 — making history by releasing 2 albums to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the same year … and the collection boasts hours of unreleased music that shows how he honed his skills.
There are 4 separate cassettes filled with unheard gems such as freestyles and diss tracks and each tape is estimated to sell for more than $10,000.
Handwritten lyrics from DMX’s 1993 debut single “Born Loser,” a music video of an unreleased track, early in-studio sessions, and concert posters are also included.
The lyrics rattle off some of his hip-hop influences at the time … N.W.A, Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, Naughty By Nature … years before he would become their artistic equal.
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Still, Tashera tells us the family understands the zeal for anything X created … he was a soulful genius.
X died in 2021 from a drug overdose, leaving behind 15 children and his fiancée, Desiree Lindstrom, to manage his mounting debts.
