Earl “DMX” Simmons has passed away after suffering a reported drug overdose and subsequent heart attack on Friday (April 2).
According to a statement from the Simmons family, the Ruff Ryders legend died at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York on Friday (April 9), less than 24 hours after his brain activity test results indicated there’d been no improvement in the six days he’d been on life support.
“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. DMX was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him.
“Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle, and the man the world knew as DMX.”
The White Plains Hospital staff added, “Earl Simmons passed away peacefully with family present after suffering a catastrophic cardiac arrest.”
DMX rose to rap infamy during the 2000s and has multiple platinum and multi-platinum albums under his belt, including 1998’s It’s Dark & Hell Is Hot and Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood. Despite all of the success and accolades, the Yonkers native fought substance abuse issues for years, which resulted in several trips to drug rehab.
In 2019, DMX canceled a slew of live performances so he could seek treatment and seemingly emerged stronger than ever. But his demons still followed him. During a November 2020 interview, he confessed he’d been tricked into smoking crack at just 14 years old, and that day, he said a “monster was born” and he’d been struggling with addiction ever since.
But following a roughly one-year prison stint for tax evasion, DMX was focused on making a comeback. Last month, he sat down with REVOLT Drink Champ co-hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN where he excitedly spoke about his forthcoming album.
In addition to the late Pop Smoke and Griselda’s Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher, DMX revealed he’d tapped the talents of Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne and U2’s Bono.
DMX was born on December 18, 1970, in Yonkers, New York to 19-year-old Arnett Simmons and 18-year-old Joe Barker. He suffered extensive abuse as a child, being beaten by his mother and her various boyfriends so badly he once lost teeth.
At 14, he started roaming the streets to escape the turmoil at home but was ultimately sent to a boys home where his love of Hip Hop began to blossom. After adopting the moniker DMX (Dark Man X), which he got from an Oberheim DMX drum machine he used at school, he focused on honing his craft as he went in and out of prison.
DMX To Reportedly Undergo Critical Brain Function Test That Could Determine His Outcome
In 1991, he was featured in The Source magazine’s Unsigned Hype section and it was on from there. In 1992, Columbia Records signed DMX to their subsidiary label Ruffhouse, which put out his debut single “Born Loser.” The single failed to perform well and he was released from his contract.
But X persevered and wound up at Def Jam Recordings where he put out his second single “Get At Me Dog” in 1998 before being immortalized in Ruff Ryders history. As of 2019, he’s sold over 74 million albums.
DMX will forever be remembered as a voracious MC with an inimitable gruff and insatiable appetite for Hip Hop culture. He leaves behind 15 children. HipHopDX sends our condolences to all those who loved him. The Simmons family will release information about his memorial service once details are finalized.
R.I.P
Bruh, this has hit me like Pac’s announcement
Idk man pac death was untimely. This guy has been an addict, I seen it coming. I’ve lost friends that were addicts and while their deaths still feel bad, it hits different because in the back of my mind I lost them to drugs a long time ago.
Rest in peace Dark Man X. I hope you’ll make peace with the demons that haunted you throughout your life… You will always be remembered! One of the greatest to grace the mic. A pure hip-hop artist at soul. Gone but never forgotten. Today we all shed tears for a legend who helped many people through their darkest hours…
wow so his birthday was just a day before mine and i had a loss in my family about 30 years tomorrow. R.I.P.
R.i.p
My first cd I bumped in my car was DMX. Dude was a legend! One of the greatest musical artists and caring humans. The demons got him finally, but I hope he’s rapping with the angels! RiP to someone who made great music and inspires millions!
RIP Dark Man, this one hurts even though we all expected it at this point, after a week in a vegetative state.
I spent a good chunk of my childhood listening to his albums, his songs got me through some hard times. Stay away from hard drugs like crack and opiates y’all, shit ain’t worth it.
Fly high, LEGEND.
R.i.p Darkman.
RIP DMX. People still wanna do coke and pop x? Better wise up.
One aspect of hip-hop that I’ve never liked. Weed is one thing. Glorifying hard substances is another.
Coke and X isn`t that bad.
MDMA is actually used for couples therapy when it comes to intimacy issues in switzerland.
I use coke from time to time, maybe once or twice per year.
Moderation is key.
Damn it…Damn it… RIP DMX. Rest well brother!
RIP DMX you will never be forgotten!!
X
DARK MAN X
Absolutely gutted, such a talent and lost soul, RIP X
One of the best to ever do it. Bled on every track, and you know you were getting whatever he went through when he spit it. RIP to one of the GOATs. Probably the most energetic rapper of all time, and that was very much a part of what made him great.
Very true what you said…he bled on every track.
Rest in Power X. See you when we see you.
Peace goes out.
My older brother’s favorite rapper. Lost my bro in 2014 at age 33. He finally gets to meet his favorite rapper. RIP Mr. Simmons. ✊?
Same my brother got knocked in 05. I had the same thought.
Big ups to the brothers man. Gone but not forgotten.
Rip to both of your brothers and X
It really fuckep up my day. This one is a tuff one to digest. X for life. I’m going to play all his albums for the next few weeks. Rest in heaven…
We lost a legend and true artist. Never be another like him. RIP brother
RIP TO A LEGEND
Damn this is the worst. Legit saddened by this. Let him fly or give him death.
R.I.Peace DMX I grown up listening to your lyrics &music time for me to pay my respect and raise a glass to you God bless you ❤️??
rest peacefully DMX. we thank you for the art uiu left us ?
Man I can’t believe it this one really hurts we have been really losing legends lately I was praying that dmx was gonna pull thru now he don’t have to suffer no more it’s really sad he couldn’t shake them demons of drugs and no body tryed to help this brotha like master p said it best this could of been prevented and dmx would still be with us we lost a icon a living legend and he had the illist collaborations like 4321 ll cool j canibus redman and method man and master p money cash hoes with jay z shot down with 50 cent and styles p and he has classic freestyles too my fav freestyle was funkmaster flex’s vol 3 he bodied mobb deep give up the goods I’m gonna cop all his joints from his first two albums a it’s dark and hell is hot flesh of my flesh ruff ryders vol 3 exit wounds and cradle 2 da grave soundtrack I feel
Bad for his kids and his family they are definitely in my prayers people better start appreciating this legends before something bad happens don’t wait until they die and go on a praising tirade give them thier flowers while they still here now all the bandwagon people gonna praise dmx and have all kinds tributes should
Of did that when he was alive get the fuck outta here
idk died on the 9th? 6th days in???? days before has a song titled “why we die” ? also right after finishing a album dropped on a label that dont want him and his Lord loving way around. Just want his music they got it now Jay Z and them Satanists dont need him anymore. Giving me Juicewrld vibes already…. someone gave him bad shit just like Mac…. right after he dropped an album. Or Nipsey right after he dropped his album. Idk shits not sitting right.
Damn, I thought the Dog was gonna pull through this time. I hope now he will get the peace he was desperately searching for. R.I.P DMX.
STOP… DROP… SHUT ‘EM DOWN OPEN UP SHOP
DMX got me threw some hard times when i lost my brother thanks BOSSDOGG rest in heaven KING.
Rumors of earls death are untrue. The dmx rap persona has passed away but earl is still alive and is working on uplifting rap music for release this summer.
this is obviously fake news.
dont believe that sh-
Legend. Underrated. Kids dont know. I’m glad he got to do that verzus with snoop as it reminded people of his greatness. R.I.P.
R.I.P DMX we will never forget you Grand Champ
Rest In Peace X.
RUFF RYDER UNTIL THE END , DMX WAS AN INSPIRATION TO EVERYONE THAT GREW UP THE WAY HE DID , HIS MUSIC WAS AN ATHEM TO ALL THAT HE INSPIRED AND WE FELT HIS MUSIC THAT WAS HIS WAY OF REACHING THE WORLD WITHOUT TELLING HIS STORY , HE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED. I FELT HIS MUSIC . RIP LEGEND (DMX) YOUR ON THE LAST FLIGHT TO GLORY .
Fuck I wanted to hear that comeback album.
Maybe we still will.
Me too. I’m sure we will hear it sooner or later. But I wish he would have lived to release the album.
rest in peace to a hip hop legend, much love to his family and the hip hop community
R.I.P. X! Somehow I knew we had lost you when I heard the terrible news. I’ll be quick to admit it! I’ve knowingly lived in denile of the worst against my better judgement until now. Forever missed is the infectious energy you exuded on the mic when you laid down your bars. The conviction of your words pierced through people’s hearts and reckoned with their souls. What of your cadence on stage and your animated performances that never stopped short of captivating the masses?! You’ve left shoes that may prove too big to fill. I don’t know if hip-hop will never see another in the stature of you again. Rest Easy King!
Drink Champs made a big mistake getting him drunk knowing his condition.Shame on you NORE and DJ EFN
That’s whaaaat I beeeeeeeeeeen thinking man. Ever since it aired.
Damn. I actually feel sad like it was someone I knew
RIP DMX….It’s Dark & Hell is Hot is a top 10 hip hop album…prove me wrong
Can we trade drake to get DMX back?
I’d make that happen
Lol. Dude. I’m sadly reading through the comments then…boom…your comment knocks me out. Lol.
Canada would go to war with us “aboot” this. Be careful, buddy.
RIP X. You will be missed.
Rest in peace D, we will all miss yeah, RrrrrrrRuffff
Flesh of my Flesh, Blood of my Blood was the first album I ever bought.
Rest In Power Dark Man X
Rest in Peace DMX.
Man rest in power absolute legend…peace to the simmons family in these terrible times for them..
Bro… Dude’s brain went 30 minutes without oxygen. That has to a world record.
Anyway good call from the family to pull the plug. It was sad but necessary.
R.I.P DMX
As an Arsenal fan, I had hope he was gonna make it
All Blacks, son. DMC T.I.P
RIP DMX. One of my favourite rappers of all time. I remember my older brother showing me “What’s My Name” vividly. It was the first rap song I ever latched onto.
Rest In Peace. And then there was X was the first HipHop album l listened to.
No more fighting those demons….may you RIP X
As a student of hip hip of my heart is broken man. Flesh of my flesh was one of the first Albums
I ever bought and I become a huge fan of X at 8 years old. Rip to the legend DMX, you’ll never be forgotten..
For real???? Daang!! The G that made it acceptable to show affection for your pet, ride thumpies with your friends n be at one with the demons. Rest Eazy DarkManX RuffRyder
Damn
Damn this is sad just woke up here in New Zealand to this news. Rest In Paradise DMX loved your music and acting. Happy I got to see you perform live here in Porirua at just a small concert in porirua park. I thought that was cool of you to do that in our little unknown city. Thank you
genuine, authentic, raw, humble – DMX was a one of a kind rapper. So unique and gritty. Realistic and unembellished. Unrestrained and powerful. RIP DMX, RIP Earl. Thank you for your music and passion but most of all your dedication to a hugely important part of my life; hip-hop. Peace
Exactly how i feel about x.. Smh. Im legit sad rn..
Wow this is truly sad I grew up listening to rap/hip hop DMX you will be missed. straight out of Harlem new you,. St Nicholas Projects.
BOUT THAT SHIT– Dmx The Lox, bumpin that shit all weekend. RIP legend!!
Same.. Ever since he was in the hospital ive been bumping x.. Usually i dont trip when a celeb dies but dmx was THAT DUDE to me.. Dark and hell is hot was literally the first cd i bought. Ive been in love with his music ever since.. The passion, truth, struggle, meloides… Just everything in his musix spoke to me.. Its just sad knowing he struggled witg drugs and shot for so long…. Im just glad hes at peace finally…. RIP X – gone byt NEVER forgotten
Me and my late mom use to make Family dinners to “You’ll gona make me lose mine up in here”. You’ll gona make act a fool????R.I.P.D
One of the realest to ever do it. His music helped me thru some tough times and I’m forever grateful for that. Long live X legacy. Changed hip hop forever.
I was fortunate to see him live twice. In 2000 he was on tour with Limp Bizkit at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Then in 2011 at the Emerald Theatre in Mount Clemens. RIP X.
“I wasn’t going to make a song or two & be out the rap game. It took me 13 years to really make it.”-DMX in an interview. Never give up on your dreams.
Dmx always ? true loss to hip hop but the legend of dog will live on forever !!! legend .. only thing that bothers me is the 100$ plus cds on eBay … I hate when people try to profit of a tragedy … respect to all the true fans from day one
Dude left his mark. Gotta respect that
Look thru my eyes ………. – DMX ❤️
damn….don’t know what to say…rest in peace X!!!
Damn this one hurts
I always think of this verse when I think of X. I thought Ma$e was the shit but I had no idea how much I was missing (Jada, Black Rob…)
24 left until my death
So I’m gonna waste a lot of lives, but I’ll cherish every breath
I know exactly where I’m goin’, but I’mma send you there first
And with the shit that I’ll be doin’, I’mma send you there worse
I’ve been livin’ with a curse, and now it’s all about to end
But before I go, say hello to my little friend
But I gots to make it right, reconcile with my mother
Try to explain to my son, tell my girl I love her
C-4 up under the coat, snatch up my dog
Turn like three buildings on Wall Street, into a fog
Out with a bang, you will remember my name
I wanted to live forever, but this wasn’t fame
I don’t know why it trips me out that he lived exactly twice as long as tupac. I hope they’re making a track together right now. RIP to the realest
Damn … R.I.P bro
what i just clicked on was DMX legacy has ended…. are you kidding me? legends live forever. how dare you as a hiphop journalist even type that. he legacy will never end
Are you a 5TH Grader?
That’s what’s up
I saw that, too. Horrible click bait. Why do that? Not even worth the negative publicity
Big Question: WHAT DRUG DID HE TAKE?
well we all know this Earl Simmons fella couldn’t keep his lips off of that god dang glass dick
17 children wow. Thats dope
What drug did he take?
The corona virus “vaccine” just like a week before he died. Look it up his family has talked about it
Actually his fam has said he got the covid vaccine, that killed him apparently.
People like you are pathetic. One unconfirmed “source” that never even said he died from the vaccine. Nobody was even able to confirm he got it. Disrespecting this man and the situation to play politics is a sad look. Grow the fuck up. So every person that dies after the vaccine, died for. The vaccine, RIGHT? Moron
Ok Shlomo.. how’s Tel Aviv this time of the year? Spat on any christians there lately? Or bulldozed any paIestinian families homes eh?
Darkman X lost, the glass d!ck won.
Have some respect
To the family I would like to send my prayers and condolences for the loss of such a strong, intelligent,HANDSOME Ruff Ryder. This one is weighing on me heavily , .. DMX had an assignment for which had completed , His journey at a very young so GOD did what was best ,payed him down to rest . DMX YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED IN FLESH BUT YOUR LEGACY LIVES ON. REST PEACEFULLY MY BROTHER – with words spoken so well: FROM THE CRADLE. TO THE GRAVE PEACE
Legend…R.I.P
This headline is so stupid it would be hilarious if it wasn’t disrespectful to DMX. His life has ended, his legacy will live on smh
“DMX’s Legacy Has Ended” uhhh… wut? DMX died, his legacy will last for a very very long time you fucking idiot.
Someone just disrespected DMX’s wikipedia page by posting a picture of a chastised dick as him. That’s foul and hella messed up. Can someone fix that please.
First CD i ever got was.from my cousin at 16 years old. “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” made me a life long DMX fan. His influences in rap music is still seen today. RIP my brother. West Bay Cayman Islands salutes you.