DMX, the well known rapper, activist, and actor who produced songs “Ruff Ryders Anthem” and “Party Up” among many others has died according to a statement from his family. He was 50.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, suffered catastrophic cardiac arrest while at his home and had been placed on life support after being rushed to the hospital according to the hospital in White Plains, New York where he had been admitted.
According to a statement from his relatives, Simmons “died with family by his side after being placed on life support.”
DMX rose to stardom in 1998 beginning with his first album, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,” which became a multi-platinum selling album and debuted No. 1 on Billboard 200 albums. DMX followed up his first album with chart topping albums including, “Grand Champ,” “Flesh of my Flesh Blood of my Blood,” “The Great Depression,” and “And then there was X.” In total, DMX released seven albums and earned three Grammy-nominations.
In addition to his successful music career, DMX found success as an actor. After starring in the 1998 film ‘Belly,’ DMX also appeared in ‘Romeo must Die’ co-starring with Jet Li and the late Aaliyah, ‘Exit wounds,’ with Stevan Seagal, and ‘Cradle to the Grave’ with Li.
Among many of his positive influences, DMX appeared at a homeless support group meeting in 2017 to give advice to a group of less unfortunate men in the Philadelphia area and helping a family from Maine with back-to-school supplies a few years later.
Simmons is survived by 15 children and mother.
