DMX’s youngest son, Exodus, is celebrating his 9th birthday today.

His mom, Desiree Lindstrom, marked the special day by sharing new photos on Instagram along with a sweet tribute.

“Happy 9th Birthday to my amazing boy! You are growing into such a kind, funny, and incredible young man. I’m so proud of you,” she wrote. “Earl would’ve absolutely loved the way you make people laugh and your mouthy comebacks! But I know he’s smiling down so proud. Mommy loves you always. Keep stuntin’ like your daddy baby boy! #ForeverX.”

Before his passing in April 2021, DMX recorded his posthumous album Exodus, which he named after his youngest son. Ruff Ryders CEO Joaquin Dean revealed to TMZ that the rapper had grown closer to Exodus in his final years and wanted the project to honor him.

Longtime collaborator Swizz Beatz followed through on that wish, ensuring Exodus’s presence was felt not only in the album title but also on two tracks, “Exodus Skit” and “Letter to My Son (Call Your Father)”.

Exodus has also kept his father close in his own ways. Lindstrom once shared that when he lost his first baby tooth, he asked to place it at his dad’s grave instead of leaving it for the tooth fairy.

She wrote, “I just wanted to share how much of an impact Earl #dmx Simmons had on our son @exodus_simmons1 life, as a great father… My son just lost his first tooth two nights ago.. what he told me out of his own mouth was that first, he want the tooth fairy to give him money for it but he didn’t want her to take it because he wanted to give his first tooth to his daddy! So today we put his first lost baby tooth in a baggie and put it in the ground with his daddy… he loves and misses his daddy so much and wants to continue to include him in his life even though he’s not physically here with us.. this touched my heart..!”