Iconic rapper DMX, who has battled drug addiction for many decades, revealed that his struggle with substance abuse began when a former mentor of his laced his blunt with crack at only 14 years old.

I was in Yonkers. This guy, ‘Ready Ron,’ he was like an older brother to me. He would rap, and I would do the beatbox. I loved this guy like an older brother.

DMX

The Ruff Ryders CEO said the incident took place after they committed a robbery together.

It was his birthday and we came back and split the money. I said, ‘Here you go, go get something nice for your birthday.’ So he came back with a blunt rolled up, and I’m counting the money, he pass[ed] the blunt.

DMX

DMX continued,

I hit the blunt and … I was no longer focused on the money. I’ve never felt like this, it just f*cked me up. I later found out that he laced the blunt with crack. Why would you do that to a child? He knew I looked up to him. Why would you do that to somebody who looks up to you? A monster was born. I wouldn’t do that to my worst enemy. Especially to someone that you supposedly love.

DMX