DMX sadly passes away

A true legend passes

Sadly the great legendary rapper from Yonkers New York, DMX, has passed at 50 years. Innuendo still remains around DMX’s death, just like it haunted him throughout life. Unanswered rumors’ have been circulating in the media that the heart attack brought on by a drug overdose. There are even articles published that DMX had a Covid-19 Vaccine a few days prior and that triggered it. The family announced that he died of “Catastrophic cardiac arrest.”

DMX’s death has sent shockwaves around the world with tributes pouring in from fans and celebrities alike. He is survived by his mother Arnett Simmons, his siblings, his fifteen children and their mothers.

How did DMX die?

On Friday April 2, 2021, DMX suffered a heart attack at his home and was rushed to White Plains Hospital, New York, where he was said to be in a critical condition. That same night he suffered cerebral hypoxia (oxygen deprivation to the brain) when paramedics successfully resuscitated him. DMX’s former manager, Nakia Walker, said he was in a “vegetative state” with “lung and brain failure and no current brain activity”.

On Tuesday 6th April, DMX’s manager, Steve Rifkind, confirmed that the rapper was in a coma and was to undergo tests on his brain function, adding that his “family will determine what’s best from there.” Rifkind expressed frustration over the stress that false rumors’ about DMX being dead were causing to DMX’s family.

DMX’s death was confirmed on Friday 9th April. His family said in a statement, “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 Life & Legacy

Born Earl Simmons in Mount Vernon, New York, DMX experienced a turbulent childhood. His father cut off all ties at birth while his mother was abusive, eventually abandoned him when she found out he was escaping the house to befriend stray dogs. Earl was even hit by a drunk driver at a young age, an incredibly sad childhood filled with despair. He spent much of his time in boys’ homes and later juvenile institutions, this is where he grew his love for hip hop.

DMX’s trademark was his raspy growl, partially caused by a lifelong struggle with bronchial asthma. This trademark made him instantly recognizable. The aggression and angst in his tonality and flow made him different.

He broke into the wider music industry at large after The Source featured him in its “Unsigned Hype” column. The following year, he signed to Columbia’s Ruffhouse imprint, though he was dropped after a pair of singles. He did a number of promo tracks and guest spots and finally got his big opportunity when signed to Def Jam. It was with this label he was set up to release his breakout projects: It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood, which both exploded onto the scene in 1998.

His 1999 album …And Then There Was X went multi-platinum off the success of the singles “Party Up” and “What’s My Name.” In addition to his slew of hits, DMX also became a film star, appearing in Romeo Must Die (alongside Aaliyah), Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave, and more. His last album Undisputed was issued in 2012.

DMX was open about his struggles with drug addiction, as well as the time he spent incarcerated. In 2018, he was sentenced to a year in prison for tax evasion. Following his release in early 2019, the rapper re-signed with Def Jam and was readying an album with multiple high profile features. In September of that year, he told GQ that he didn’t have any reservations about making new music. “The standard that I hold myself to is the same: Better than everything I hear,” he said.

Months after a landmark VERZUZ appearance with Snoop Dogg, DMX discussed addiction with rapper Talib Kweli in an emotional late 2020 interview on the latter’s podcast, People’s Party With Talib Kweli. “Drugs were a symptom of a bigger problem,” he told Kweli. “There were things that I went through in my childhood where I just blocked it out—but there’s only so much you can block out before you run out of space,” he said. “I really didn’t have anybody to talk to about it. So often talking about your problems is viewed as a sign of weakness. When it’s actually one of the bravest things you can do.”

I was rooting for DMX for a big comeback, all his fans were. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do it this time like he had so many times. RIP DMX. You will be sorely missed by all your loyal fans that loved you dearly.