DMX didn’t make it. The American rapper and actor has died at age 50 after being hospitalized last April 2 in New York City for a heart attack brought on by an overdose. DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, had been in a vegetative state since his hospitalization. He had been suffering from drug addiction for years and several times was forced to cancel his concerts and enter detoxification centers.
The rapper had success in 1998 with his first studio album It’s Dark and Hell is Hot, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. He has since released seven albums and earned three Grammy nominations. He also has a career as an actor, including with a part in Exit Wounds with Steven Seagal. When he was hospitalized, Tmz, which first broke the news, reported a statement from a representative of the artist: “Last night he was rushed to the hospital after he collapsed at home. He remains in the ICU in critical condition. Earl has been a fighter all his life. This situation represents a new path he must conquer.”
DMZ had canceled a number of shows in 2019 to undergo rehabilitation at a specialized facility. In a post on Instagram, his staff had reported his apologies to fans and thanks for their support. Most recently, last year the rapper took on Snoop Dogg in a “Verzuz” battle that was attended by more than 500 thousand spectators.
