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Earl Simmons, better known as rapper DMX, has died at hospital in New York on Friday, according to XXL Magazine. He was 50.
Simmons reportedly suffered a heart attack last week and was rushed to a hospital near his house White Plains, NY where he remained on life support. The doctors evaluating Simmons said he ‘had not regained any brain function’ since going into cardiac arrest late Friday night.
The rapper’s condition is said to have shown no improvement after a series of tests that were performed Wednesday, leaving his family with the agonizing decision to take the 50-year-old entertainer off life support.
Simmons’ family released 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.”
DMX starting raping in the early 1990’s with collaborative features for LL Cool J, Mase, and The LOX. His first studio album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1998.
The multi-platinum selling album broke through with hits such as “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” “Get At Me Dog” and “Stop Being Greedy.”
Simmons would star in “Belly” alongside fellow rapper Nas later that year. His first acting role in the American crime drama written and produced by Hype Williams.
He would go on to appear in numerous other films including “Romeo Must Die” with Jet Li and R&B star Aaliyah, “Cradle 2 the grave”, and “Exit wounds” with Steven Seagal.
Simmons made eight studio albums and several compilation albums. The first five of DMX’s projects peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and the sixth, “Year of the Dog… Again,” made it to No. 2 in 2006.
A storied career for the Grammy-nominated artist with over 75 million albums sold worldwide and 18 charted singles over the past three decades.
In July, he faced off against fellow rapper Snoop Dogg in a Verzuz battle, which drew more than 500,000 viewers.
Throughout his career DMX has been open about his struggles with bipolar disorder and drug addiction. A battle chronicled in a book of his memoirs published in 2003 entitled, “E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX”
In an emotional interview last year with Talib Kweli, DMX said his drug abuse started at age 14 when he was given a blunt laced with crack without him knowing.
“I wouldn’t do that to my worst enemy,” he said.
Simmons is survived by a tight-knit group of family including his mother, Arnett Simmons, his fiance, Desiree Lindstrom, his ex-wife, Tashera Simmons, his ex-girlfriend, Yadira Borrego, and fifteen children.
