‘Warrior to the end’: Rapper DMX dies at 50
Rapper and hip-hop superstar DMX (born Earl Simmons) passed away at the age of 50 after nearly a week on life support following a heart attack.
DMX’s passing confirmed
According to his family, the Grammy-nominated star passed away at the White Plains Hospital in New York on Friday, 9 April. The family said in a statement to People:
“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 rapper’s longtime lawyer also confirmed his passing to AFP. As per the statement, “Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end”.
Rumours of DMX’s death
Rumours of DMX’s death circulated on social media earlier today. At the time, his manager, Steven J Rifkind, confirmed that the acclaimed artist was still alive.
Rifkind slammed the social media posts and said DMX was still on life support. He also urged people to stop sharing the rumours. Read more here.
DMX is survived by his 15 children and their mothers, as well his fiancee Desiree Lindstrom and his mother Arnett Simmons and his siblings.
DMX’s rise to fame
Music career
DMX released his debut major-label single, Get At Me Dog, in 1998 with Def Jam, which came off his first studio album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot. The album debuted at No 1 on Billboard’s top album chart
A second single – Ruff Ryders’ Anthem – from the same album, ushered in the commercial success that would last for years, and would eventually lead to DMX being referred to as one of the greatest artists of all time.
His signature style of gruff rapping and 1990s beats influenced other rappers for years to come, including Ja Rule, whom DMX accused of stealing his “rough-voiced” style.
His follow-up album, Flesh of My Flesh, achieved multiplatinum success. DMX was nominated for three Grammy Awards as well.
- Best Rap Album for And Then There Was X
- Best Rap Solo Performance for Party Up (Up in Here) in 2001
- Best Rap Solo Performance for Who We Be in 2002
Film career
DMX had 43 filming credits to his name, with his first listing on IMDb for Eyes on Hip Hop in 1995, followed by a role on South Park as Chef Aid in 1998, and as Tommy ‘Buns’ Bundy in the Belly.
He also portrayed Silk in Romeo Must Die in 2000, as well as Lattrell Walker in Exit Wounds, King David in Never Die Alone, Black Jack in Last Hour, and Detective Ray Munce in Beyond The Law.
His other film appearances included Exit Wounds, and Cradle 2 the Grave. He also had a cameo in Top Five and appeared in Pimp, and Chronicle of a Serial Killer.
His last two credits include Fast Vengeance, which is currently in post-production, as well as the role of Cowboy in Doggmen, which is still in the pre-production and filming stage.
Grim childhood, drug addition and controversy
DMX’s life was also marred by controversy. The artist endured a grim childhood, growing up in housing projects with his mother and five sisters where he suffered abuse.
He had continued run-ins with the penal system throughout his life. The acclaimed star battled drug addiction since the age of 14. In a podcast interview in 2020, DMX said he “didn’t really have anybody to talk to”.
“In the hood, nobody wants to hear that… Talking about your problems is viewed as a sign of weakness when actually it’s one of the bravest things you can do. One of the bravest things you can do is put it on the table, chop it up, and just let it out”.
In November 2017, he pleaded guilty to evading $1.7 million (about R30 million) in tax payments between 2002 and 2005 and spent a year in prison.
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