DMX’s Uncle: Friends Didn’t Pay Funeral Costs

It’s been revealed that following the tragic passing of DMX in April 2021, many of the rapper’s supposed friends and associates, including major labels, did not contribute to covering his funeral expenses. DMX’s uncle, Ray Copeland, widely known as Uncle Ray, recently shared details about the financial struggles involved in organizing the beloved artist’s homegoing service.

A Disappointing Lack of Support

In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop, Uncle Ray expressed his disappointment, stating, ‘Everybody put out statements, hashtags, and tributes. But when it came time to actually do something… silence.’ He recounted reaching out to various figures and entities, including Ruff Ryders, Swizz Beatz, Steve Rifkind, and Def Jam, to discuss the costs associated with the funeral.

According to Uncle Ray, the response he received was consistently negative. ‘I told them what it was going to cost. Everybody said, ‘I ain’t got it.’ So I hung up the phone and said, ‘Forget it. I’ll put this together myself.’’

Securing the Funds for the Service

The funeral, held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, was a significant event that allowed the public to pay their respects. Uncle Ray credited business associate Germaine Miller and attorney Ron Sweeney for ultimately providing the necessary funds. Miller reportedly put up the entire $150,000 needed for the service.

While Def Jam later provided $35,000, Uncle Ray noted that the label inaccurately claimed to have paid for the entire funeral. He also mentioned that Ye (formerly Kanye West) covered the expenses for the Barclays Center venue itself. Initially, Uncle Ray had considered a more private funeral, but family members urged him to allow the public a chance to say goodbye.

Reflections on Loyalty and Legacy

Uncle Ray’s account highlights a stark contrast between the public outpouring of love and tributes for DMX and the private financial support that was lacking. His words serve as a somber reminder of the importance of tangible support, especially during times of loss, and raise questions about loyalty within the music industry.