DMX has died a week aftersuffering a heart attack. He was 50.
The rapper and actor, born Earl Simmons, died at White Plains Hospital in New York on Friday, his family confirms to PEOPLE.
DMX.SGranitz/WireImage
“Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle and the man the world knew as DMX. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalized.”
Listen below to our interview with hip-hop historian Marc Lamont Hill about DMX’s incredible legacy below onour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
In an additional note, the hospital providing his care said, “White Plains Hospital extends its deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Simmons, as well as his friends and legions of fans who expressed their unwavering support during this difficult time. Earl Simmons passed away peacefully with family present after suffering a catastrophic cardiac arrest.”
DMX.Noam Galai/Getty
The “Party Up (Up in Here)” rapper was hospitalized in grave condition on April 2 after suffering a heart attack at his home around 11 p.m., his attorney Murray Richman toldNBC Newsthe following day.
Upon being admitted, DMX’s health was so critical that he was resuscitated and placed on life support, Richman added. He was reportedly deprived of oxygen for nearly 30 minutes.
DMX and Jay Leno.Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
In a statement released after news of DMX’s hospitalization broke, a rep for the rapper said the star was “in critical condition.”
“Last night Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. At this time he remains in ICU in critical condition,” the rep said in a statement to TMZ. “Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must conquer.”
“The Simmons Family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt love, encouragement, support and prayers for Earl,” he continued. “Earl is someone whose life and music have been a source of inspiration and strength to so many people around the world. It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need.”
DMX.Barry King/WireImage
On Monday evening, a prayer vigil was held in his honor outside of the New York hospital where he remained on life support.
DMX’s ex-wife Tashera Simmons and his fiancée Desiree Lindstrom were also in attendance at the vigil, where they prayed for his recovery. Many attendees held balloons and signs for DMX as others crossed their arms to form an X, in recognition of his stage name. A group of Ruff Ryders and fans also drove through the event in motorcycles and vehicles as hundreds of people played the late star’s music near the hospital.
On Wednesday, DMXunderwent a series of tests that revealed his level of brain function and activityhad not improved following his heart attack and ultimately guided his family’s decision-making.
“We are just waiting on the doctors to tell us what the next steps are,” DMX’s manager, Steve Rifkind, told PEOPLE.
DMX.J. Kempin/FilmMagic
“I loved this guy like an older brother; I didn’t have any brothers,” Simmons explained during his November appearance on People’s Party with Talib Kweli of the man whom he says laced his marijuana with cocaine. “I would beatbox and he would rap, then he suggested one time, ‘Why don’t you write a couple rhymes and I’ll beatbox for you?’ …. That’s where my first rhyme came to me.”
DMX.Taylor Hill/WireImage
He continued, fighting back tears, “But this guy … He introduced me to what would be the best part of my life, which would be the rap, but he also [introduced me to drugs]. The thing with my life, it’s blessed with a curse and the curse aspect of it was — Like I said, I didn’t smoke cigarettes, I didn’t smoke weed. I didn’t do anything, I was 14 years old … I never felt like this before. I later found out that he laced the [cannabis] with crack.”
“Why would you do that to a child?” DMX said. “He was like 30 and he knew how I looked up to him. … Why would you do that somebody who looks up to you?”
DMX.Jonathan-Mannion
As Simmons detailed the experience, he said, “A monster was born. I wouldn’t do that to my worst enemy. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, especially to someone that you supposedly love … I put that in a song called ‘Pain’ … He acted like he loved me.'”
In 2017, DMX canceled a series of planned performances to reenter a rehabilitation facility, according toRolling Stone.
“It is important right now that he take some time off to focus on his health so that he can be a better father, friend and entertainer,” his manager at the time, Pat Gallo, said in a statement.
DMX.KMazur/WireImage
He returned to rehab in 2019, shortly after he wasreleased from prisonontax evasion charges.“In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility,” read astatementshared on his Instagram that October. “He apologizes for his canceled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support.”
Born Dec. 18, 1970 in Baltimore, Maryland, DMX released 15BillboardHot 100 megahit songs, including “Party Up (Up In Here)” which peaked at No. 27 on the list and charted for 21 weeks. His collaborative tune “Money, Power, Respect” with The Lox and Lil' Kim peaked at No. 17 and charted for 20 weeks.
Throughout his music career, DMX was signed to Columbia Records and Def Jam.
DMX.Prince Williams/Wireimage
In 1999, the star was nominated for the Billboard Music Award for R&B/hip-hop albums artist of the year — he has earned multiple BBMA nods. That same year, he was up for the Soul Train Music Award for the Sammy Davis, Jr. male entertainer of the year prize.
DMX has earned three Grammy Award nominations over the course of his decades-long career, including best rap solo performance for his smash hit song “Party Up (Up in Here)” and best rap album for his fan-favorite…And Then There Was X —both nominates came in 2000. In 2001, he was up for the Grammy for best rap solo performance for his jam “Who We Be.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
