American hip-hop rapper, Earl Simmons better known as DMX has died on Friday, April 9, 2021, at 50 after spending one week in the hospital over an heart attack and reported drug overdose.
On April 3, MDB reported that the 50-year-old rapper was hospitalised and was in critical condition, following the heart attack.
According to Metro, his family confirmed the news in a statement on Friday saying;
We are deeply saddened to announce today that our loved one, DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, passed away at 50 years old at White Plains Hospital with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days.
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.
The news of his passing comes shortly after he was rumoured dead on Thursday after it was reported he had ‘not regained any brain function‘ and his condition had not improved after a series of tests that were performed on Wednesday.
The tests proved there was ‘no improvement in brain activity‘ since the rapper was first rushed into hospital last Friday, after he was deprived of any oxygen for nearly half an hour.
It was later reported that all his major organs had shut down raising concerns for his family to pull the plug off his life support machine.
His family requested that longtime friend and former manager Steve Rifkind fly to New York on Friday to be by his side, who then debunked news of his death in a video statement on Thursday.
Following his hospitalisation, prayer vigil was held by family, friends and fans outside the hospital where DMX was receiving care in White Plains, New York.
DMX first made a splash in rap music in 1998 with his first studio album ‘It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,’ which debuted No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The multiplatinum selling album was anchored by several hits including ‘Ruff Ryders´ Anthem,’ ‘Get At Me Dog’ and ‘Stop Being Greedy.‘
The rapper had four other chart-topping albums including ‘…And Then There Was X,’ ‘Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,’ ‘The Great Depression’ and ‘Grand Champ.‘ He has released seven albums and earned three Grammy nominations.
Along with his music career, DMX paved his way as an actor. He starred in the 1998 film ‘Belly‘ and appeared in ‘Romeo Must Die‘ a couple years later with Jet Li and the late singer Aaliyah.
DMX and Aaliyah teamed up for the film’s soundtrack song ‘Come Back in One Piece.’
He was married to Tashera Simmons in 1999 and they were married for eleven years.
DMX had his fair share of controversies as he was arrested and sent to jail several times.
Until his death, he was engaged to Desiree Lindstrom and survived by fifteen children.
