RAP LEGEND DMX DEAD AT 50

Rapper stood out on the New York scene of the 90s and was one of the most important names in rap with heavy lyrics.
He suffered a heart attack and was struggling with drug addiction.

Rapper DMX died today at age 50. He was admitted to the ICU after suffering a cardiac arrest. The death was confirmed by his family to media outlets. DMX had been struggling with drug abuse for some time and had already undergone some hospitalizations for rehabilitation. According to information from the TMZ website, DMX suffered a heart attack due to an overdose on Friday (2).

Family announcement

“We are deeply saddened to announce today that our beloved DMX, Earl Simmons, died at the age of 50 at White Plains Hospital (in New York State) with his family by his side,” the statement said.

“Earl was a warrior who fought to the end. He loved his family with all his heart and we are fond of the time we spent for him. Earl’s music has inspired countless fans around the world and his iconic legacy will go on forever,” the text also says.

DMX was one of the top rappers in the prolific New York hip hop scene of the 90s. His crude yet eloquent voice and image was the perfect street hero for fans, to be mesmerized with his aggressive lyrics about the reality of the streets. He grew up in New York and had a childhood marked by family abuse and problems with the police. In the early 90s, he became a legend as the King of the Ruff Ryders along with collaborating with artists such as Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Ja Rule.

DMX has sold thirty million albums to date and is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. Between 1998 and 2003, five of his albums topped the sales charts. “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” and “Then There Was X” were street classics. Among his most successful songs were “Get me a dog” (1998), “Party Up (Up in Here)” (2000) and “Money, Power & Respect”, with The Lox and Lil ‘Kim (1998).

In the middle of the past decade, his success has waned and he has had several problems with drug use and justice. In 2015, he was sentenced to six months in prison for failing to pay $ 400,000 of child support.

He was also arrested in 2013 for possession of marijuana, and in 2011 he was released after 11 months in prison for parole violation. In 2018, he was arrested after failing a drug test. At the time, he tested positive for opiates, cocaine and oxycodone.

DMX also had a career as an actor. He starred with Steven Seagal in “Corruption Network” (2001) and with Jet Li in “Against Time” (2003) and “Romeu has to die” (2000). The three films were directed by the Polish Andrzej Bartkowiak. His last public performance was July 22,2020, as Snoop Dogg and DMX faced off as part of the latest heavyweight bout on Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz platform.

Here is a link to DMX’s last interview on Revolt TV’s “Drink Champs” hosted by N.O.R.E. In this episode DMX shares classic stories about touring, acting and his legendary music catalog.