DMX, real name Earl Simmons, has died. He was surrounded by his loved ones, including his kids during his last moments of life. The rapper died at White Plains Hospital in New York on Friday, his family confirms 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. Earl 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. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalized.”
According to TMZ, the rapper suffered a drug overdose on Friday night(April 2), and it triggered a heart attack. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in White Plains, NY where he died.
DMX is survived by his fiancée, Desiree Lindstrom, and their son, Exodus Simmons, who was born in 2016. He also leaves behind 14 other kids, four of whom are with his ex-wife Tashera Simmons.
DMX married Tashera Simmons in 1998 and during that time, the couple had four children together. They were married for 11 years.
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In 2013, DMX appeared on Iyanla Fix My Life to reconcile with his son Xavier, whom he hadn’t spoken to in over a year. Xavier, who is the oldest son of X and Tashera, wanted his father to get clean so that they could have a ‘healthy relationship’.
DMX declined his son’s ultimatum saying, “If there is going to be a condition, if there is going to be a demand when all i have given you is unconditional love, i’m not going to allow that. I would never put a condition on our love or our relationship”
Adding, “I love you. I love who I am. I’m not gonna change for anyone. I have been a great father to you. I smoke weed before you were born. I drank before you were born. I did a lot before you were born. It’s sad my son wants nothing for me and I have so much to offer. I still love you, but that’s not gonna fly. I guess I’ll see you at my funeral then.”
The troubled rapper later confessed that he hadn’t been the best father, but that he did they best he could. “I didn’t know not one ni$%a with a father. I did the best I could, man. I was loving. You always knew I loved you. I didn’t know what the f#$k I was doing, but I tried. I gave it a genuine, genuine effort… I know I’m not the best father, but damn, I tried. I really, sincerely tried. I tried, man. I’m sorry. I tried,” he said
DMX began rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot in 1998, selling 251,000 copies within its first week of release. He released his best-selling album, … And Then There Was X, in 1999, which included the hit single “Party Up (Up in Here)”. He has been featured in films such as Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave and Last Hour.
