DMX’s casket carried through Brooklyn on a monster truck as bikers join memorial for rap icon

Streets closed and lanes restricted to facilitate ceremonial journey across New York City

Members of the NYPD stand next to the monster truck holding the casket of US rapper DMX on Flatbush avenue outside the Barclays Center. (EPA)

Rap icon and actor DMX was given a spectacular farewell as his casket was carried on a huge monster truck from Yonkers north of Manhattan where he grew up, to Barclay's Centre in Brooklyn, where a memorial service was planned.

Thousands of New Yorkers watched the procession go by, as streets were closed and lanes restricted to facilitate the ceremonial journey.

The monster truck had the words “Long Live DMX” painted on the side. The truck, and the thousands of bikers escorting it, was seen as a homage to Ruff Ryders, the motorcycle-loving rap group with whom DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, rose to fame.

DMX died aged 50 on 9 April after suffering a heart attack following a drug overdose. He passed one week after being admitted to hospital where he was put on life support.

Around 200 police officers were in the streets to help the funeral cortege move along its route.

Only 10 per cent of the seats in the 19,000-seat Barclay's Centre arena were allowed to be filled in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines.

Bikers followed the coffin and the monster truck throughout New York, arriving at the Brooklyn arena just after 2pm.

“Cops will be stationed along the route and there will be a heavy police presence,” law enforcement said according to the New York Post.

When asked about the cost of the Brooklyn memorial, a spokesperson for Barclay's told the paper: “We aren’t at liberty to discuss the financial arrangements of our events."

Born in Mount Vernon, DMX went on to become a father of 15, making his way in street battles after a problematic childhood, and becoming one of the most successful rappers of all time.