DMX: Soul of a Man
By Lucy Maher,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Raw reality show will only interest DMX fans.
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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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What's the Story?
In DMX: SOUL OF A MAN, mega-successful rapper/actor DMX (Romeo Must Die) takes viewers behind the scenes as he reexamines his life and relocates from Yonkers, New York, to Carefree, Ariz. The rapper, born Earl Simmons, has had numerous run-ins with the law, including two arrests for driving well above the speed limit (once while on Valium). In each of the series' six episodes, he attempts to reevaluate his life and figure out how to get himself back on track. This involves moving to the Arizona desert, opening up about his parentless childhood, and doing some self-reflection with the help of people he meets along the way. In a disturbing finale, DMX hits a particularly low point and admits to having considered suicide but snaps out of his funk after meeting a woman who, after the deaths of her three kids, found solace in his music.
Is It Any Good?
While DMX fans will want to tune in, those unfamiliar with the rapper may be left scratching their heads. Many scenes feature DMX on his cell phone, and it's often extremely difficult to make out what the person on the line is saying, even with the addition of subtitles. What's more, the scenes in which viewers see the rapper go about his life (grocery shopping, pumping gas) are rather dull. Between the frequent swearing (harsher words are bleeped), DMX's very questionable status as a role model, and some of the series' heavier content, this one's not for the younger set.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about feeling secure and confident. When is it normal to feel sad or depressed, and when is it a problem? Why is it important to work hard while being prepared for moments of failure? Families can also talk about DMX's experiences and history. What's brought him to this point? What choices could he make differently over the course of the show? Do you consider him a role model?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 12, 2006
- Cast: DMX
- Network: BET
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
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