DMX: Don't Try to Understand
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name = DMX: Don't Try to Understand
| image = File:DMX documentary poster.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster
| director = {{plainlist|
- Christopher Frierson
- Clark Slater
}}
| producer = {{plainlist|
- Robert Alexander
- Christopher Frierson
- Pat Gallo
- Sean Gordon-Loebl
- Barak Moffitt
- Steve Rifkind
- Daniel Seliger
- Clark Slater
}}
| writer =
| starring = DMX
| music = Jackson Greenberg
| cinematography = {{plainlist|
- Christopher Frierson
- Sean Gordon-Loebl
- Travis Libin
- Clark Slater
- John Tashiro
}}
| editing = {{plainlist|
- Matt Kliegman
- Clark Slater
- James Thayer
- Steve Waite
}}
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- HBO Documentary Films
- Ringer Films
}}
| distributor = HBO
| released = {{film date|2021|11|23|Doc NYC|2021|11|25|HBO Max}}
| runtime = 79 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget =
}}
DMX: Don't Try to Understand is a 2021 American documentary film directed by Christopher Frierson and Clark Slater. The film follows a year in the life of American rapper DMX. It was released on HBO Max on November 25, 2021.
Summary
The film is focused on a year in the life of DMX, following him after his release from prison (after serving a year for tax evasion) in January 2019 as he attempts to rebuild his music career and reconnect with family. It also tracks his career, from his rough upbringing in Yonkers, New York, to his successful debut in the late 1990s. The rapper died on April 9, 2021.{{cite news |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Watch the Trailer for 'DMX: Don't Try to Understand' Documentary on HBO |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/dmx-dont-try-to-understand-documentary-hbo-watch-1235116038/ |access-date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Variety |date=19 November 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Saponara |first1=Michael |title=HBO's DMX Doc Provides a Turbulent Snapshot Into Late Rapper's Final Year on the Road |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/hbo-dmx-documentary-review-1235002908/ |access-date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Billboard |date=26 November 2021}}
Cast
- Earl "DMX" Simmons
- Desiree Lindstrom
- Tashera Simmons
- Xavier Simmons
- Exodus Simmons
Release
In December 2020, the film was picked up by HBO/Ringer Films and added to the Music Box series, executive produced by Bill Simmons. It had its world premiere at Doc NYC on November 23, 2021, and on HBO on November 25, 2021.{{cite news |title=HBO RELEASING A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT DMX CALLED, DMX: 'DON'T TRY TO UNDERSTAND' + DESIREE LINDSTROM TALKS ABOUT IT |url=https://www.hot97.com/hip-hop-news/hot-news/hbo-releasing-a-documentary-about-dmx-called-dmx-dont-try-to-understand-desiree-lindstrom-talks-about-it/ |access-date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Hot 97}}
Reception
Julian Kimble of GQ called the film "a difficult watch," concluding that "DMX died trying to do right, but unable to escape demons that followed him for decades."{{cite news |last1=Kimble |first1=Julian |title=HBO's New DMX Documentary Captures Him as He Died: In the Midst of a Fresh Start |url=https://www.gq.com/story/dmx-hbo-dmx-dont-try-to-understand-documentary-review |access-date=7 December 2021 |publisher=GQ |date=26 November 2021}} Johnny Loftus of Decider wrote, "With its equal notes of resilience, chronic self-destruction, outsized talent, and a troubled personal life, DMX: Don't Try to Understand offers a compelling portrait of a rapper gone too soon."{{cite news |last1=Loftus |first1=Johnny |title='DMX: Don't Try To Understand' on HBO, Capturing An Eventful Year In The Rapper's Tumultuous Life |url=https://decider.com/2021/11/25/dmx-dont-try-to-understand-on-hbo-max-stream-it-or-skip-it/ |access-date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Decider |date=25 November 2021}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|11817822|DMX: Don't Try to Understand}}
{{DMX}}
{{HBO documentaries}}
Category:2021 documentary films
Category:American documentary films
Category:Documentary films about hip-hop music and musicians
Category:HBO documentary films