Hip-Hop icon Earl Simmons aka DMX has passed away at 50.
The rapper was hospitalized on April 2 after suffering an apparent drug overdose and subsequent heart attack at his home in White Plains, New York. He was 50 years old.
DMX’s family issued the following statement via the press representative:
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.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has had five US No 1 albums, featuring hip-hop anthems such as Party Up (Up in Here), What’s My Name and X Gon’ Give It to Ya.
His first two albums were released months apart in 1998, each going multi-platinum and attracting critical acclaim for bringing a gothic darkness to an increasingly glitzy rap scene. He has released seven albums in all, and earned three Grammy nominations.
From his 1998 debut It's Dark and Hell is Hot, to 2015's Redemption of the Beast, each of his eight albums features songs inspired by his Christian faith or spoken-word addresses to God that detail his struggles with addiction and other darker impulses.
He began an acting career in 1998 in the crime drama Belly, alongside hip-hop stars including Nas and Method Man. Specialising in crime thrillers, he took a lead role alongside Steven Seagal in Exit Wounds (2000) and another with Jet Li for Cradle 2 the Grave (2003).
Over the years, DMX has battled with substance abuse. The rapper canceled a series of shows to check himself into a rehabilitation facility in 2019. In an Instagram post, his team said he apologised for the cancelled shows and thanked his fans for the continued support.
In 2015, he was sentenced to six months in prison for failing to pay child support. Simmons has 15 children. In 2018, he served a year-long sentence for tax evasion.
New Chapter in 2019
In 2019 the rapper proposed to his girlfriend Desiree Lindstrom for the second time. Desiree is the mother of his most recent son, Exodus, born in 2016.
In 2019 X has signed to Def Jam, couple months later DMX checks into rehab and cancels concerts in ‘ongoing commitment’ to his sobriety.
In 2020 he announced that he's prepping to release a new album.
The It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot rapper revealed the news during his appearance on Tory Lanez’s “Quarantine Radio” on Instagram Live.
“I’m down in Nashville, I’m working on the album,” DMX told Lanez.
In late 2020, DMX faced off against Snoop Dogg in a Verzuz battle, which drew more than 500,000 viewers.
In February 2021 during a recent episode of “Drink Champs.” X announced the news that his upcoming album will feature the late Pop Smoke and Griselda.
His legacy will live on forever through his music. One of the greatest to ever do it.
No one radiated more agony, pain, and atomic energy...
Rest in power to a music legend 🕊️👑
