‘Belly’: A Tribute to DMX

It’s been two years since DMX (AKA Earl Simmons) died, but his legacy lives on. In addition to some of the most hardcore rap songs, he also acted in several movies and TV shows. Surprisingly, DMX was a phenomenal actor. Not too overstated, but not boring either. He was perfect for Belly.

Starring alongside Nas, Belly is the story of two childhood friends, involved in a life of crime, who drift in two very different directions. This gritty film showcases how passionate a person DMX was and how fully he threw himself into every project he engaged in. There will never be another person like him.

No Awkwardness

A lot of celebrities who aren’t actors have a very awkward air about them on camera or when reading lines. The best example I can think of is when NBA 2K15 was released, featuring real NBA players reading dialogue. The choppy, uncomfortable way the dialogue progresses is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a video game. Enjoy three minutes of some great voice acting:

DMX didn’t fail spectacularly like the NBA players. In fact, he greatly outdid them. His dialogue doesn’t feel stilted or like he was reading it straight off a script. When DMX’s character, Buns, speaks, it feels like we are listening to an actual person. It flows so well with the movie that it was never a distraction.

Much of this can be attributed to how good a rapper DMX was as well. Part of being a rapper is diction, unless you are a mumble rapper. To spit out words in a string but still have people understand and resonate with those words is a talent. He captured listeners with the way he spoke and didn’t let them go until he had said what he wanted to say.

Visual Magnificence

What shines in Belly is the cinematography. Every shot is carefully crafted to appeal to the audience’s eyes. Most of this is because director Hype Williams had mostly made music videos before Belly. DMX was no stranger to music videos and knew how to work the cameras.

You never get bored of watching DMX. Even in still shots with just dialogue, his mannerisms and facial expressions capture your attention. You’re watching a performance artist. Every move is deliberate and adds something to the story. His lips tell a story of who he is without even uttering a word.

DMX was an intimidating dude. Not just in the songs he sang, but also in the reputation he had. DMX was known as a real tough guy who wasn’t afraid to do what needed to be done. That type of stoicism and confidence is present in the way he carries himself on screen. Despite being just shy of six feet, he seemed like he towered over his peers, exerting control with his self-assuredness.

Embracing a New Character

The character DMX plays, Buns, begins Belly as a criminal. He engages in drug dealing mainly, often involving himself in other shady schemes. There is no remorse in his actions and he seems to revel in his deeds. He is smart and knows how to better his position in the criminal world; making more money is easier than snapping his fingers. It isn’t until the very end that Buns begins to realize the wrongs he’s committed. By then, it’s too late.

DMX portrayed himself as a hardcore thug. Anyone stepping to him would regret it. This is how Buns was throughout the entire film. When his turning point came at the end of the film, it subverted expectations about who Buns was. It was a character that we were unaccustomed to seeing in DMX.

He may not have been a truly great actor like Meryl Streep or Leonardo DiCaprio, but he could hold his own in a film. DMX was a man who wasn’t afraid to put himself out there and try new things. That’s what made Belly so great, as well as all of DMX’s discography.

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