When my colleagues first told me that I would be perfect for the trending DMX Challenge, I wasn’t sure if they were saying that I looked like a Rough Rider, or if they just thought that I have a pretty good bark. If I’m being honest, as a born and bred New Yorker I’m pretty well-versed in the songs by Dark Man X so I wasn’t at all offended by either notion. When I checked out Twitter to see what the challenge is all about, I was even more surprised—and delighted.
When the Yonkers-born rapper released the song “What These B—-s Want” featuring Sisqo back in 2000, we were all too keen to sing along though the song highlights X’s many sexual exploits, and how he’s not willing to offer women anything more than just that.
The instant they start to catch feelings I start to stealin’ they sh–. Then I’m out just like a thief in the night, I sink my teeth in to bite. You thinkin’ life, I’m thinkin’ more like, whats up tonight?
Putting the actual context of the song aside, ladies (and gents) have taken to social media with this DMX Challenge, using it as an opportunity to further prove that Black women are the best hair chameleons. When it comes to changing up lewks and serving new girl realness, Black women are leading the pack with tens across the board. So much so, that they could give off the feeling of being a completely different woman, as the challenge proves.
We’re not going to pretend like the lyrics of the song (and even simply the title) aren’t offensive to the sisters. But the challenge, in its fun, is a great way to take something that put down Black women, and transform it into something that highlights their beauty and ingenuity.
Either way, we’re here for the fun videos that came from the challenge (even the Cardi B version). Whether you’ve always fancied yourself a Stacy, Tracy, Rohna, or Ronda, Donna, Yolanda, Tawana, or Wanda, you can simply change your hair and make it a reality. And if your partner ever says that they want to see other people, play your DMX Challenge video back for him or her and problem solved.
Initially I thought that Annagjid “Kee” Taylor (@sosheargenius) was just the mic dropping winner of this challenge with the best video I’ve seen to date (her three Kims is jaw-dropping). But according to her Instagram, the hairstylist and influencer is the reason we are all having this fun. Initially just a fantastic video that she created, her post evolved and went viral. It certainly beats watching people do weird things with cucumbers.
Check out her (now) DMX Challenge video and some of our other favorites.
And of course, it’s too much fun for the gents not to want to get in on it.
And finally, I had to try it for myself to really see if my co-workers were on to something. I had to admit, I think I now fancy myself a Yolanda. And she looks very different from Shalwah.