UPDATE: Rapper DMX Dead at 50
Drug use within the elite community of celebrities isn’t anything new. From musicians to actors and everything in between, we
Victoria Liotta
Drug use within the elite community of celebrities isn’t anything new. From musicians to actors and everything in between, we have experienced heartbreaking losses and fortunate recoveries. Some stars who have recovered have shared their story to the public such as Demi Lovato and Robert Downey Jr. who expanded the radius of their spotlight from their work to their addiction.
Unfortunately, headlines of celebrity overdoses stay consistent and recently another one has taken us by storm. DMX, born Earl Simmons, is currently being hospitalized after suffering a drug overdose on Friday, April 2 around 11 p.m. Here’s what we know so far.
“It’s Not Looking Good”
At 7:25 p.m. PT on April 3rd DMX’s rep put out an official statement. “Last night Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home. At this time he remains in ICU in critical condition. Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must conquer.” They continued, “The Simmons Family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt love, encouragement, support and prayers for Earl. Earl is someone whose life and music have been a source of inspiration and strength to so many people around the world. It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need.”
Prior to the statement a source close to DMX told TMZ that he overdosed triggering a heart attack. But, the artists long time lawyer, Murray Richman, said that he could not confirm reports of a drug overdose and was unsure what caused the heart attack. Paramedics tried resuscitating him for 30 minutes but during that time he was deprived of oxygen, severely impacting his brain. He was rushed to a hospital in White Plains, New York. While in the critical care unit, a source told TMZ that he has “some brain activity” however, another source revealed that he’s in a “vegatative state” leaving doctors to warn that he may not make it. The rapper is currently on life support according to Rolling Stone.
Family and Celebrities Are Showing Their Support
Simmons’ fiance Desiree and his mother have been with him all weekend. And as of today his kids began arriving to visit him one by one in the ICU.
The family of DMX sent out an email on Sunday regarding a prayer vigil. The vigil was held today outside of the New York hospital where the rapper remains on life support. Among the hundreds of people who showed up was his fiance and the son that they share, Exodus. Hospital staff members also shared their support from inside the building by holding up an “X” sign in the windows. And it doesn’t stop there. Members of the “Ruff Ryders” motorcycle crew paid tribute to the rapper on Sunday by rolling up to the hospital.
Celebrities like Missy Elliot, Lebron James, SZA, Chance the Rapper and more have taken their condolences for the rapper and his family to social media. Missy Elliot posted a black and white photo of DMX praying captioned “Prayers for DMX and his family.” The NBA star wrote, “To one of my fav artist growing up and still to this day DMX, my prayers are with you and sent to the almighty heaven’s above!” Chance wrote, “DMX prayed over me once and I could feel his anointing. I’m praying for his full recovery.”
The History of It
Just like Lovato and Downey Jr., the 50-year-old rapper has also been open about his struggles with drug addiction. Back in October 2019, DMX’s Instagram account shared a photo of the artist, captioned “In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility. He apologized for his cancelled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support.” Prior to this he had already battled substance abuse and been to rehab several times. He made the decision to go back after he completed a 12-month sentence for tax evasion and felt the temptations creep up on him again.
Staying strong, X made it back to the stage in December 2019 at Hakkassan in Las Vegas. During the show he made a point to ground his audience by saying “When you fall down, get back up, everyone here has been through some s–t and you never know what God is willing to do for you until you need him to do something for you.” He continued to showcase his talent in July 2020 during a face off with Snoop Dog in a Verzuz battle. It had over 500k people tune in proving his ongoing ability to bring in an audience.
The History of Him
Simmons is the only child of Arnett Simmons and Joe Barker. He was born on December 18, 1970 in Mount Vernon, New York but grew in Yonkers, just north of the Bronx. Richman shared that X “is truly an amazing person. He walked into a room, he lit up the room. He couldn’t help making you feel good in his presence.” He continued on to reveal that the rapper had lived a “difficult life” but shared it with the world through his music. He said, “He expressed the pain and suffering in a very unique way. He truly is reflective of a whole segment of our society whose pain and suffering go unrecorded.
DMX was the first musician whose first four albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart, selling millions of records. Two of his biggest hits, “Party Up” and “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” became popular hits that took over audiences at concerts.
UPDATED 4/9/21
DMX has passed away after a week on life support from a reported drug overdose and subsequent heart attack. He was 50 years old.
In a statement, his family said: “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.”