NEW YORK (Bywire News) - Rapper, DMX, known for songs like 'X Gon' Give It To Ya,' and 'Where the Hood At' was pronounced dead on Friday. The star had spent several days on life support before passing away with his family by his side.
In a statement from his family, they said, "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,"
According to the star's family he had collapsed at home and was from there taken to White Plains Hospital in New York. There he was placed under life support with no brain activity as stated by his now-former manager.
Publications such as TMZ and Billboard that focus on celebrity gossip have reported that his heart attack was triggered by a drug overdose.
DMX grew up in Yonkers, New York City where his life was met with a fair share of criminal activity and run-ins with the police. In a docuseries broadcast on BET, the rapper spoke out about how when he was 14 an older rapper coerced him into smoking crack.
"He created a monster," DMX said, "Cocaine almost took my life on a few occasions."
The rapper saw a total of five of his albums to top the Billboard 200 chart in the US, the first of the five was his debut 1998 album, 'It's Dark and Hell is Hot'. GQ Magazine stated that he was the only rapper with this kind of winning streak.
GQ reported on how DMX's passion for studying the bible and praying before every live show.
"Performing in front of people is beyond a high. It's beyond a high that any drug could duplicate," he added.
On top of his extensive billboard hits, DMX had a total of eight albums be nominated for three different Grammys. His best selling album was '…And Then There Was X', which went certified five-time multiplatinum.
On top of his rapping career, DMX was known for contributing to over 40 different films and TV shows, including the famous, 'Belly.' Films like 'Cradle 2 the Grave' and 'Exit Wounds,' also saw the likes of DMX.
Media reports have stated that DMX had a total of 15 children.
Tashera Simmons, DMX's ex-wife and the mother to four of his children was seen attending a vigil outside the New York hospital alongside hundreds of devoted fans, who were dancing to DMX songs. She posted on Instagram saying, "The love is real.
LeBron James, the famous basketball player, tweeted out his support while DMX was in the 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!"
DMX was open about his struggles with addiction and trouble with the law, including his time spent incarcerated. Back in 2018 he was charged with tax evasion and sentenced to a year in prison.
In the words of DMX, as in his 1998 song 'Slippin', "To live is to suffer, But to survive, well, that's to find meaning in the suffering."
(Writing by Nick Zieminski and Klaudia Fior)