DMX Talks Robbing, ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’ Success in ‘My First’ Video — Watch

The year was 1998. It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, DMX's debut album, had just been released. As a 27-year-old rising rapper at the time, he had no clue of the success that would come his way following the project's premiere. In a new "My First" interview with The BoomBox, X reveals how the LP lead to his first feelings of self-accomplishment.

"I robbed like a lot of people in Yonkers," the 41-year-old New York native admits. He sheds light on this shady detail of his past because Def Jam, his record label back then, urged him to have his album signing in his hometown of Yonkers, despite him stealing from residents. "I'm like, 'I don't know if that's gonna be a good idea,'" says X, recalling the moment.

Due to his prior bad behavior, the veteran MC wasn't too confident that many people would show up to the signing to support him. However, when the day arrived, he was pleasantly surprised with the massive turnout. "I was like, 'Wow, yo, I really have this much love,'" he shares. "I seen n----s I robbed and everything, but supporting me."

In its first week, It's Dark and Hell Is Hot sold 251,000 copies, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. To date, more than 5 million copies have been sold worldwide. According to the Undisputed creator, he had "no idea" how meaningful the LP would become for his fans and himself.