The hip-hop community is paying tribute to the late rap star and actor DMX, who died Friday at the age of 50.

One of the pioneering New York DJs who put rap on the radio, 107.5 WBLS' Kool DJ Red Alert, remembered DMX as a charismatic artist who put his real-life experiences into his music.

“You could tell that it came from the heart, truly what was on his mind and what he feels and what he wanted to present,” Kool DJ Red Alert told NY1’s Dean Meminger.

Kool DJ Red Alert said artists could party to DMX’s songs or appreciate them on a more serious level, as the rapper recounted his struggles growing up in Yonkers. He called DMX a prophet to the people, rapping about issues the public could relate to.

"He had some of the best records that's timeless,” he said. “I mean like 'Party Up,' that record is timeless. But there's other types of songs that he made that resonate with people that they understand because they lived through it or they witnessed what they see."

Kool DJ Red Alert said DMX’s talent came through in his music videos, and that when his acting career began, it was a sign that that talent was being recognized by the larger industry.

“He’s playing that role, but you’re seeing more of the person he is than the role he plays. He’s a purist,” Kool DJ Red Alert said.

While DMX was seen as a tough guy, he also was known to pray for people and recite Bible verses. Kool DJ Red Alert said only those who were with the rapper day by day fully understood the type of person he was.

Kool DJ Red Alert said DMX’s music will continue to have a large radio presence.

“He’s no longer with us in body,” he said, “but his music and spirit lives on with us forever.”