Rap Icon DMX Dead At 50

DMX died on Friday (April 9th) at age 50. The rap icon was on life support for one week at New York's White Plains Hospital after suffering a heart attack on April 2nd. He had no brain function after being deprived of oxygen for nearly 30 minutes and brain function never returned. By Thursday (April 8th), his organs began failing and by Friday (April 9th) his family made the decision to take him off of life support.

According to XXL, DMX's family released a statement, 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.”

The statement continued, “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.”

DMX's ex-wife Tashera Simmons took to social media on her 50th birthday on Saturday (April 10th) to pay tribute to DMX. She wrote, “Happy 50th birthday to me. 😢💔 With much prayer, pulling. Crying and a roller coaster of emotions. I couldn’t bring myself to just celebrate and close the last 50yrs of my life with out celebrating the life of one of thee most important person in the world to me, my Ex-husband. I know today is my day. But I also understand that God is love. So When God allowed me to open up my eyes and granted me the gift of life, I realize more than ever, that was my true gift today. Glory be to God!!”

She added, “I am so grateful to God and Honored from the bottom of my heart, For the opportunity while on this Journey called life to join hands in marriage with a true disciple and Angel of God to do life with when we did. 🙏🏽Everything we went through was necessary. It made me the women I am today. As I enter a new chapter in life, I don’t walk in it the same. Life is so fragile and special at the same time!” She added, “Thank you everyone for the over poor of your love and concern. It’s a very tuff time right now for me and my family… but I learned from one of the strongest men I knew. We will get through. God bless you all. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.”

WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL RELEASES STATEMENT

White Plains hospital also released a statement, saying, “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.”

After the rap icon's passing, fans gathered outside to pray and pay their respects.

Despite reports that an alleged drug overdose caused his heart attack, DMX’s attorney shared in a statement to The Associated Press that he did not know what caused the heart attack and was not able to confirm TMZ‘s report that it was caused by a drug overdose.

MEMORIAL PLANS

Meanwhile, DMX could have a statue or a street named after him in his hometown of Yonkers, NY. According to TMZ, a source close to DMX's family said that there will be a private and public memorial and there will be a meeting today (April 12th) to finalize plans.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said that he is in favor of X's family holding the memorial service at Yonkers Raceway, which is the city's largest outdoor venue. Spano added that he is open to a statue or a street naming in X's honor but that would depend on what the rap icon's family would want to do.

DMX is survived by his 15 children and fiancee, Desiree Lindstrom.

BIO

DMX was born Earl Simmons in Mount Vernon, New York on December 18th, 1970. X got his start in 1984 at age 14 when he beatboxed for Ready Ron. After serving time in jail for stealing a dog, the young rapper started writing his own music. By the 90s, he dedicated himself to music full time. After being featured in The Source's Unsigned Hype column in 1991, he signed to Columba Records' Ruffhouse imprint, where he released his first single “Born Loser” and appeared on songs with Jay Z, Ja Rule, LL Cool J, Mase and rock band Sum 41.

By 1998, DMX signed to Def Jam/Ruff Ryders and released his major label debut It's Dark and Hell Is Hot, which debuted at number one on the Billboard charts and sold over 5 million copies. The album produced four hits “Get At Me Dog,” “How's It Goin' Down,” “Stop Being Greedy” and “Ruff Ryders' Anthem.” Later that year, he released “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,” which also debuted at number one and went multiplatinum.

His third album And Then There Was X was released the following year and featured his hit “Party Up (Up In Here).” Other hits released during his career include “X Gon' Give It to Ya,” “Where the Hood At?,” “Lord Give Me a Sign,” “We in Here” and more.

Throughout his career, DMX has been nominated for three Grammys and has won two American Music Awards.

Meanwhile, X made his acting debut in Romeo Must Die in 2000, which starred Jet Li and Aaliyah. He went on to star in other films, including”Exit Wounds,” “Cradle 2 the Grave,” “Never Die Alone” and “Last Hour.”

X was always open about his legal issues and drug addiction. He revealed that a mentor tricked him into smoking crack when he was only 14-years-old. By 2019, X seemed to have been doing well after ending a 12 month sentence for tax evasion and checking himself into rehab in October.

In July 2020, X faced off in a Verzuz battle with Snoop Dogg with over 500,000 viewers on Instagram Live.

Prior to his death, X signed a new deal with Def Jam and had completed a new album with Swizz Beatz. During one of his final interiews on N.O.R.E.'s Drink Champs podcast in February, X revealed that album featured collaborations with the late Pop Smoke, Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Usher and Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Westside Gunn of Griselda.

SOUND

During his last appearance on Drink Champs in February 2021, DMX tells N.O.R.E. what his last words would be:

• “If I was to drop dead right now, my last thought would be . . . I had a good life. (applause)”

In 2013, DMX told Dr. Phil that he has no regrets:

• “I would not change one aspect of my life because it got me to where I am right now and I'm at a good place with God.”

In 2006, DMX spoke to us about not being a role model:

• “No, I think it's my responsibility to tell them the truth. To be… I'm not gonna set them up for a downfall. 'Oh life is perfect, and you do the right thing and nothing bad will happen' — nah, that's bulls–t.”

In 2006, DMX spoke to us about having perseverance and not giving up:

• “You give them the good, you give them the bad, and let them know regardless of what happens, get up and keep moving.”

DMX's 2012 BET cypher verse:

• “You can cry … smile like the Joker.” (1:28 OC . . . like the joker)

In 2014, DMX goes off on rollercoaster:

• “I aint gonna front . .. aye aye aye aye!”