Legends paying tribute to a legend…

Award show tributes are always an emotional affair. Usually performed by acts who look up to or are influenced by the artist in question, it more often than not makes for some pretty impactful viewing. However, very rarely does a deceased artist have their peers and their contemporaries honour them on stage. But then again, most artists aren’t DMX, and man, that tribute was truly something else.

Taking place at the BET awards just capping off over in Los Angeles right now, it’s safe to say the legacy of X was more than honoured. Kicked off by fellow legend Method Man with an acapella cover of X’s ‘Get At Me Dog,’ you knew from the jump this wasn’t gonna be your average tribute. Griselda kept the hype going, upping the momentum with a quick rendition of their new song featuring X ‘Hood Blues.’

Then things took an unexpected turn, with actor Michael K. Williams taking to the stage dressed as X while Griselda vanished into the crowd. Rapping ‘Slippin’ with the backing of light strings in the background, lyrics like ‘Forcin’ me to be a man/When I was just learnin’ to stand without a helpin’ hand’ totally pounded through the Microsoft Theatre, and for a moment you could’ve been forgiven in thinking X was speaking to us from beyond the grave.

Then the energy well and truly peaked, with Busta Rhymes, the Ruff Ryders crew, Jadakiss and more appearing on stage for ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem’ and ‘Party Up.’ However the stars kept the focus on honouring X, ending the tribute with a voiceover of the fallen rapper preaching as a violinist played along, everyone bowing their heads in respect before making ‘X’ signs with their arms.

Probably one of the realest and most impactful award show tributes in recent memory, it’s safe to say X would’ve been ecstatic to see his fellow peers and legends turn up for him in such a major way. Check out the full performance below.