Rapper DMX has died at the age of 50. After suffering a heart attack the previous week, the artist was hospitalized and placed on life support until his eventual passing away.
Born Earl Simmons in December of 1970, DMX grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and he came onto the rap scene in the early 1990’s. His debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,” was released in 1998 with several more released over the years.
“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,” his family’s statement read in part.
DMX rose to fame after the deaths of two of rap’s biggest stars, Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., making him the new king of the rap scene. The rapper released several albums throughout his career with millions of copies sold. Some of his most well-known songs include “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” “Get At Me Dog” in 1998, “Party Up” and “X Gon’ Give It to Ya.”
DMX eventually added actor to his resume, appearing in several films such as “Romeo Must Die,” “Exit Wounds” and “Cradle 2 The Grave.” He became a published author in 2003 when he released his memoirs, “E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX.” Then in 2006 he starred in his own reality television series, “DMX: Soul of a Man,” which aired on the BET cable television network.
The rapper spent his life battling addiction, even canceling his tour in 2019 in order to receive treatment. DMX dealt with many issues throughout his life, not just with addiction but also with the law. Despite the hardships he faced, the rapper has left a legacy that ensures his legendary status as one of the greatest rappers of his time.
“I just need to have a purpose,” he said in an interview with GQ. “And I don’t even know that purpose, because God has given me that purpose since before I was in the womb, so I’m going to fulfill that purpose … whether I want to or not, whether I know it or not, because the story has already been written. If you appreciate the good, then you have to accept the bad.”
