iHeartPodcasts has added another high-profile project to its growing slate, partnering with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unit Audio and award-winning storytelling studio Narratively to produce Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX. A narrative podcast series centered on the early life of the late hip-hop legend DMX.
The multi-episode series is scheduled to debut later this year on the iHeartRadio app and across all major podcast platforms.It will be hosted by Yonkers native and longtime DMX collaborator Jadakiss. He guides listeners through the years before Earl Simmons became one of music’s most influential and polarizing figures.
Rather than focusing on DMX’s global fame, the series traces his formative years growing up in Yonkers, New York. It highlights the battles, hustles, relationships, and personal struggles that shaped his sound and persona. The project relies heavily on firsthand perspectives. These include interviews with family members, childhood friends, collaborators, rivals, and cultural figures. They witnessed Simmons’ rise from the streets to the spotlight.
Jackson serves as an executive producer alongside Noah Rosenberg, Bruce Miller, Justin Baez, and Paul Anderson. Together, the team aims to deliver an immersive and deeply personal portrait of an artist whose legacy continues to resonate years after his passing. Furthermore, themes such as faith, addiction, survival, and raw artistic talent are central to the storytelling approach.
“DMX’s story is bigger than the music — it’s about survival, faith, pain, and purpose,” Jackson said. “This project gives people a chance to understand where X came from, before the fame, through the voices of the people who were really there.”
Authenticity plays a major role in the production. Miller and Baez, both Yonkers natives with close personal ties to DMX and his family, bring a lived-in perspective that grounds the series in the community that helped define Simmons’ identity. Miller emphasized that DMX’s legacy remains inseparable from Yonkers and its impact on hip-hop culture.
“We’re proud to partner with G-Unit Audio and Narratively on this incredible project exploring the life of a hip-hop icon,” says Will Pearson, President, iHeartPodcasts. “Bringing this new series to the iHeart platform allows us to use our massive scale and reach to share DMX’s story with fans around the world, honoring his cultural impact on the music industry.”
The deal was negotiated by Paul Anderson of Workhouse Media on behalf of Jackson and Narratively in partnership with IAG. Jackson is represented by IAG, AKR Public Relations, and attorney Steve Savva.
“We are thrilled to partner with 50 Cent and Narratively in telling the DMX story. Put on your seatbelt,” said Anderson, whose Workhouse Media is a leading audio-first multi-platform talent and content management and production company working across radio, podcasting, television and digital.
The series is produced by Narratively, G-Unit Audio, Blue Light Media, and 1982 Media, in association with Workhouse Media. Narratively serves as the lead creative and production partner, overseeing development and execution. Showrunning duties fall to veteran audio producer Drew Nelles. His résumé includes marquee podcast projects for iHeartMedia, Sony, and Gimlet Media.
The first season will chronicle Simmons’ early life and rise to prominence. Future seasons are envisioned to explore the origin stories of other iconic artists. Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts.
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