Jay-Z Recalls DMX Bringing a ‘Whole Arena’ to Tears While Performing Live

Jay-Z is reminiscing about the unmatched stage presence of late rapper DMX.

On Friday (May 28), during the season premiere of LeBron James’ HBO series The Shop: Uninterrupted, the 51-year-old hip-hop mogul opened up about being in awe — and a little intimidated — when watching DMX perform live on stage.

“X is about to go on, and I’m like, I wanna see,” Jay begins his story. “X is going before me. And then he goes (growls), and the f—ing arena goes crazy. First of all, it’s deafening, and I’m like, ‘Oh s—.'”

The rapper continues, “He has a thing, like an Alize and Hennessey mix, it looks like blood, like he’s drinking blood, and he’s running back and forth. Halfway through the show, and then he takes his shirt. And the whole crowd goes wild.”

Jay-Z then recalls in amazement how DMX was able to bring the crowd from raging screams to emotional tears.

“He’s going nuts, right? And I’m like, ‘S—.’ First the guys are going crazy, now the girls are going crazy. And then he gets to the end, and he starts a prayer. And now they’re crying, the whole arena is crying. And they’re like, ‘OK, now you go.’”

DMX died on April 9 after experiencing a heart attack triggered by a drug overdose. He was 50.

Other guests on the season opener of The Shop were Latin rapper and singer-songwriter Bad Bunny, WNBA star Nneka Ogwumike and marketing executive Paul Rivera.

Watch Jay-Z discuss DMX’s powerful live show below.