DMX has died age 50 one week after his overdose

The rapper DMX has died aged 50 almost a week after his heart attack and reported overdose.

His family confirmed the news in 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 news came after it was reported Friday that his vital organs had failed, that he had ‘not regained any brain function’ and that his condition had not improved after a series of tests that were performed on Wednesday at White Plains Hospital, New York. 

‘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,’ the statement, shared via People, continued. ‘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 tests had reportedly left his family with the agonizing decision over whether to keep the 50-year-old entertainer on life support. 

White Plains Hospital released an additional statement which read: ‘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.’ 

TMZ reported that the tests had 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.

The test results had been described as ‘not good’ in the Thursday report. His family requested that longtime friend and former manager Steve Rifkind fly to New York on Friday to be by his side.

Struggle: News comes after mounting reports of his deteriorating condition including organ failure, as he was treated at White Plains Hospital in New York 

TMZ reported Monday that some of DMX’s 15 children had been visiting him in the hospital.

Later that same day, a prayer vigil was held by family, friends and fans outside the hospital where DMX was receiving care in White Plains, New York.

DMX has been holding on to life for several days after allegedly overdosing and subsequently having a heart attack.

‘On Friday night, April 2nd, 2021, our brother, son, father, and colleague DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, was admitted to White Plains (NY) Hospital, facing serious health issues,’ the family said through a publicist before his death. 

The news came after it was reported DMX had ‘not regained any brain function’ and his condition had not improved after a series of tests that were performed Wednesday [File photo]

‘We ask that you please keep Earl/DMX and us in your thoughts, wishes, and prayers as well as respect our privacy as we face these challenges.’

Another statement released on Sunday afternoon said the rapper remained in a coma and was on a ventilator.

Simmons’ longtime lawyer, Murray Richman, said the rapper was admitted to the intensive care unit at White Plains Hospital after going into cardiac arrest.

Richman said he could not confirm reports that DMX had overdosed on drugs and was not sure what had caused the heart attack.

Beloved father: TMZ reported Monday that some of DMX’s 15 children visited him in the hospital [File photo]

A lot of family: DMX, is a father of 15. He is pictured above with Desiree Lindstrom, who gave birth to his youngest child in 2016 [File photo]

‘He had a heart attack. He’s quite ill,’ Richman said. ‘I’m very sad about it, extremely sad. He’s like my son.

‘He’s just a tremendous person, tremendous entertainer, tremendous human being. And so much to offer, so much to say. Not the run-of-the-mill rapper. A person of great depth.’

Sources told TMZ that the star overdosed around 11pm on Friday and was rushed to the hospital.

One relative explained that paramedics tried to resuscitate him for 30 minutes when en route to the hospital, during which time he was deprived of oxygen for an extended period.

Doctors said the lack of oxygen severely affected his brain, with one family member saying ‘It’s not looking good.’

‘Last night Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. At this time he remains in ICU in critical condition. Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must conquer,’ a statement by the family read.

Vigil: A prayer vigil was held by family, friends and fans outside the hospital where DMX was receiving care in White Plains, New York 

‘The Simmons Family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt love, encouragement, support and prayers for Earl. 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.’

Kelly Rowland was among an array of celebrities offering prayers for DMX this weekend. ‘Lord God in Heaven, bless our brother DMX,’ said Rowland, 40, in an emotional video on her Insta Stories this Saturday, ‘I ask that you would bless his family.’

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.

Towards the late nineties, he was known for being at the forefront of the ‘Ruff Ryders’ era of rap, which was named after a collective of rappers that included soon-to-be superstars in the genre like Eve and Lox. 

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.

Starring role: The rapper appeared alongside late singer Aaliyah (who died in 2001) in the movie Romeo Must Die a year before her death, and also duetted on the his ‘Come Back in One Piece’

DMX and Aaliyah teamed up for the film’s soundtrack song ‘Come Back in One Piece.’

Growing up in Yonkers, New York, DMX took his moniker from the name of a drum machine used in rap songs. 

When he was 14, an older rapper who had been a mentor tricked him into smoking crack, DMX said in a documentary series broadcast on BET.

‘He created a monster,’ he said. ‘Cocaine almost took my life on a few occasions.’

His debut album was the first of five in a row to top the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. He remains the only rap artist with such a streak.

Rap superstars including Jay-Z, Eminem and even Kanye West have not reached the same milestone as the rapper. 

However, he was cut short of furthering that record when his 2006 album Year of the Dog… Again, reached the no. 2 spot on the Billboard charts. 

He studied the Bible and prayed before and after every show, he revealed in an interview with GQ. ‘Performing in front of people is beyond a high. It’s beyond a high that any drug could duplicate,’ he said.

The rapper’s intense songs told stories of a complex character’s ‘sins of the streets,’ according to a biography on allmusic.com, which described DMX as a ‘hip-hop Johnny Cash.’

Success story: DMX remains the only rapper to have his first five albums debut at No. 1 (pictured above at the 14th annual Soul Train Music Awards in 2000)

His album …And Then There Was X was his biggest seller, certified five-time multiplatinum. DMX released eight albums and was nominated for three Grammys.

DMX earned more than 40 film and television credits, including Belly, Romeo Must Die, and action films Cradle 2 the Grave and Exit Wounds, also contributing music to their soundtracks. 

Before he died, his ex-wife Tashera Simmons, with whom he had four children, attended a vigil outside his hospital, where hundreds of fans danced to DMX songs. ‘The love is real,’ she posted on Instagram.

Basketball star LeBron James had tweeted while DMX was in hospital: ‘To one of my fav artist growing up and still to this day DMX, my prayers are with you and sent to the almighty heaven´s above!’

In 2017, DMX pleaded guilty in federal court to avoiding paying $1.7 million in taxes from 2000 to 2005 by shifting money among accounts belonging to managers and associates. He was sentenced to one year in prison.

The rap star’s prior arrest record included charges of animal cruelty, reckless driving, drug possession, weapons charges and probation violations. He served prison time in Arizona and New York.

In the 1998 song Slippin’, DMX rapped: ‘To live is to suffer, But to survive, well, that’s to find meaning in the suffering.’ (Writing by Nick Zieminski; Editing by Howard Goller)

Tributes from the entertainment world flooded out on Friday, with Missy Elliott tweeting: ‘Even though you had battles you TOUCHED so many through your MUSIC and when you would PRAY so many people FELT THAT!’

She added: ‘This is heavy for the HipHop family but your LEGACY LIVES ON & your SPIRIT. Continued Prayers for X family & friends for STRENGTH/HEALING.’