Tag: DMX

CULTURE - The American rapper DMX died on Friday 9 April in a hospital in the New York suburbs, where he had been in a critical condition for a week. He was 50 years old. 

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, one of the great hip-hop figures of the late 90s and early 2000s, was admitted to hospital last Friday after suffering a heart attack at White Plains Hospital, north of New York. When questioned, his lawyer Murray Richman told theAFP that he died at around 11am on Friday, confirming US media reports.

"Earl was a fighter who fought to the end", said his family. in a press release which was widely echoed on social networks just after the announcement of his death. "He loved his family with all his heart, and we cherish the moments spent with him (...) "His music inspired countless fans around the world." 

"DMX was a brilliant artist and an inspiration to millions of people around the world," said Def Jam Recordings, the label with which he released several of his best-known albums, in a separate statement. 

"His message of victory through struggle, his search for the light to emerge from the darkness, his quest for truth and grace brought us closer to our own humanity. He was nothing less than a giant (...) His legend will live forever".

His family will shortly be announcing the organisation of his funeral. On Monday 5 April, several hundred of her fans gathered outside the hospital to pray for her recovery.

Author of eight albums, the most recent in 2015, DMX is one of the darkest figures in hip-hop, exposing his inner demons in anthems that have earned him both commercial and critical success.

Known to have had drug problems, he had notably undergone rehab in 2019.

Throughout his career, he has often come into conflict with the law, being charged with possession of narcotics, cruelty to animals, dangerous driving, non-payment of child support and impersonating a federal agent.

His first big single, "Get At Me Dog", with Def Jam, was released in 1998, taken from his first studio album, "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot."

The album reached number one in the Billboard charts, with a second hit, "Ruff Ryders' Anthem", marking the start of a commercial success that would last several years.