DMX thrills Day of the Child benefit

NEW YORK, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Rapper DMX took the stage to a standing ovation during the weekend when he performed at the annual Day of the Child event in New York City.

The rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, joined the fifth edition of the benefit Saturday night to not only entertain but to encourage those in attendance to become mentors to foster children, the New York Daily News reported.

"It's about being an example," said the "Grand Champ" rapper, who himself was once a foster child. "I want to help the kids not feel like they are lower than people who weren't in these places."

Many of the foster children at the concert, that also featured a performance by Run-DMC's Darryl McDaniels, spoke out about the importance of mentors in a child's life.

"Mentors help you realize that everybody, in foster care or not, can be somebody when they grow up," 12-year-old Jason Myrick told the News. "We go to the movies, amusement parks, or play football and basketball. Mentors can really change a child's life around."