Earl Simmons, 50, better known as DMX, died on Friday after suffering a heart attack from an apparent drug overdose and spending almost a week in the hospital and several days on life support.
DMX’s family released a statement announcing his death.
“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 said in the statement.
DMX – Dark Man X – became the premier artist signed to the Ruffhouse Records label and shot to stardom with his “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem” in 1998.
The rapper sold millions of albums and became one of the most iconic stars of hardcore hip hop.
As successful as he was, DMX also struggled with substance abuse and occasionally found himself on the wrong side of the law.
In 2019 DMX said he planned to attend rehab, even cancelling a concert tour to do so. He said he needed to take the time to find a purpose and focus on his family.
“I just need to have a purpose. 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,” he said. “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.”
