Bono with DMX: Skyscrapers this Summer?

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2021-04-17)

Update (May 11, 2021):

The new DMX album, Exodus will be released on May 28, 2021 via Def Jam Records. The track listing has not yet been confirmed but it is expected to include “Skyscrapers” with Bono.

Original Story (April 17, 2021):

DMX was the stage name of rapper Earl Simmons. DMX passed away on April 9, 2021 after being rushed to hospital a week earlier following a heart attack. After news of DMX being rushed to hospital surfaced, Bono shared an image he had drawn of DMX on U2’s social media channels.

The note was dated March 26, prior to DMX’s death or hospitalization, and read:

“Just to say how blessed I am to have your voice near my voice
Your truth tellin
Righteous yellin
Saviour sellin self
Is an inspiration and very much a good vibration
Hope we get to realization
some day soon…
DMX IS THE BMX”

We suspect that the note and drawing was done by Bono after he heard a final version of the song “Skyscrapers.” The song is one which DMX had recorded with Bono. The song is due on DMX’s new album. AllHipHop is reporting that the new DMX album was completed before his death and is due to be released this summer, and that a documentary is in the works as well, filmed before his death. Original plans before his death had called for both the documentary and album to be released this summer. DMX himself revealed the collaboration with Bono appearing on “Skyscrapers” during an appearance on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN’s Drink Champs podcast back in February, revealing that it was Swizz Beatz who had arranged the appearance by Bono. “It’s got like a Miami feel to it”, Beatz said about the song, and that he’d like to film the video for the song there. Swizz Beatz was identified as the producer of the song. Hopefully if the album is still on track for summer, we will have an announcement soon about the release date.

For those paying attention Bono has been linked to a track titled “Skyscrapers” for 10 years now. The track was first mentioned in 2011 when Swizz Beatz spoke to Paper Magazine about the song, “It’s me, Bono, and Kanye on this one song called Skyscrapers,” Beatz told Paper magazine about the project. “I recorded with Kanye in the studio and then I recorded with Bono in this actual studio right here.” At the time, Beatz claimed that the song would be released on his album Haute Living which had been expected that fall.


VIDEO: Leaked version of “Skyscrapers” featuring Bono, Kanye West and Swizz Beatz

That album was delayed, but Swizz Beatz once again teased the song in a 2012 social media post, sharing “Skyscrapers” via a webcam in the studio, but only a short snippet of the song was heard. That preview was recently removed from the internet. At the time Beatz said he was planning a music video for the song.

The song was next mentioned in 2018, as Beatz released his album Poison. While doing press for that album release, Beatz mentioned the song with Bono and Kanye had almost made the album, but in the end had been cut from the album, and that he was now saving the song for an R&B album he planned to release next. At this time Beatz has not released the follow up to Poison.

In September 2019 the song again got some attention, as it was leaked on YouTube. (It’s still there as you can see above.) The version that leaked is the version with Bono and Kanye West joining Swizz Beatz on the track. The source of the leak is unknown, and the original leak was quickly removed from the internet but a number of copies have since popped up again.

In 2021, DMX revealed that he was now working on a track called “Skyscrapers” that would feature Bono with Swizz Beatz. No mention of Kanye West was made. Although Swizz Beatz himself has mentioned that Kanye would appear on an upcoming DMX song. It sounds like the track planned by Swizz Beatz has morphed into something new. And it was expected on the new DMX album. DMX’s collaborator Darrin Dee Dean revealed “It’s sad that he’s not gonna be here, but the music…This album right here is special. Like you probably never heard no music like you heard on this one that we did right now. This is probably one of his great albums. One of the best. It’s a classic, for sure.” DMX’s manager Craig Brodhead added, “He was excited about it, he couldn’t wait to promote it and get out there with the music.”

At this time a release date and final track list for the new album has not been released. We’ll keep our eyes open for any news regarding the collaboration with Bono and will share any information we get. In the meantime, here’s the lyrics of the version developed with Kanye West:

Skyscrapers
by Swizz Beatz featuring Bono and Kanye West

[Swizz Beatz]
Time for us to reach the stars
Talk to me

[Bono]
I’ve seen coal turn to diamonds
and a blind man’s visions become skyscrapers
What begun as a scene is no longer a dream
Lets become skyscrapers, skyscrapers

[Swizz Beatz]
woke up in the morning from this dream that i had
they said it was no more Bombs in Baghdad
I even heard there was peace out in Egypt
Everybody in the streets representing their freedom

I heard the recession was over now
Peace signs in the air brings the soldiers now
I even seen the stone fiend turn sober now
Things are getting better, damn, how’s the world over now?

[Bono]
I’ve seen coal turn to diamonds
and a blind man’s visions become skyscrapers
What begun as a scene is no longer a dream
Lets become skyscrapers, skyscrapers

[Swizz Beatz]
Woke up in the morning from this dream that i had
they said poverty in the world wasn’t coming back
I even heard they got the cure of cancer in the lab
The educational system made a big comeback

Damn, it was all about a week ago
We pray to the most high to let our dream flow
We pray to the most high to let our dreams grow
We’ve got dreams of skyscrapers let the world know.

[Bono]
I’ve seen coal turn to diamonds
and a blind man’s visions become skyscrapers
What begun as a scene is no longer a dream
Lets become skyscrapers, skyscrapers

[Kanye West]
Can’t scrape the sky can’t escape this high
sometimes i felt like i just couldn’t wait to die
But if i fall I can’t fly
Can’t hate the sky for not slowing me down
before i hit the ground
before i hit the town, i used to hit the weed
trying to hang around thieves
just trying to get degrees
But i end up around rats
Just trying to get the cheese
I ain’t got to be all that
I ain’t begging but bitch, please.

[Bono]
I’ve seen coal turn to diamonds
and a blind man’s visions become skyscrapers
What begun as a scene is no longer a dream
Lets become skyscrapers

Put your hands up and touch the sky
Put your hands up and touch the skyscraper
Put your hands up and touch the sky
Put your hands up and touch the skyscraper

Breezes in the sun becoming sky
In Jungle City life go flashing by
Feel for
Feel for
For

Many thanks to bethandbono for her assistance with the article and the lyrics.

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