Photo Credit: theringer.com
Rapper and actor, DMX passed away on April 9th of a heart attack after spending a week at the hospital on life support. On April 2nd, DMX was taken to White Plains Hospital after collapsing in his home. His former manager, Nakia Walker, says he was in a “vegetive state” with lung and brain failure. He was immediately placed in a ventilator where he never regained consciousness.
DMX whose birth name is Earl Simmons rose in the music industry in the late 90s with his debut album It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, selling over 251,000 copies in its first week. A few years later, he sold his best-selling album And Then There Was X in 1999 which included a fan favorite hit single “Party Up (Up in Here).” Besides music, he starred in several movies such as Last Hour, and Romeo Must Die.
DMX has openly spoken up about his addiction to drugs, specifically crack cocaine, which began when he was only 14 years of age. He stated that at that age, he smoked a marijuana cigarette laced with the drug given by someone he looked up to as a mentor. From that moment, it led him to his drug addiction that lasted throughout his career. He also openly admitted that he has bipolar disorder.
After being rushed to the hospital, his attorney, Murray Richman, confirmed that DMX was on life support. Later in the evening, his attorney spoke out again stating that DMX was off life support and breathing on his own, but later clarified that he remained on life support and that he had “been given the wrong information.”
His hospitalization sparked much support from celebrities such as Missy Elliot, Chance the Rapper, Ja Rule, Rick Ross, and many more. On Monday April 5th, hundreds gathered to offer support for DMX outside the hospital in which he was staying at where he was fighting for his life. Amongst the crowd was his children, family and friends. Members of the “Ruff Ryders” motorcycle crew showed up to the hospital on Sunday to pay tribute, while several hospital staff members held their own vigil before dying four days later.
His family released a statement on the day of Simmon’s passing, stating “Earl was a warrior who fought to 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 around the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever.”
The life of DMX had an impact on so many people including his fans. Someone who would take someone else’s pain and store it inside of him so that they wouldn’t have to suffer anymore. His music moved so many people and his legacy will live on forever.
