DMX, Prolific Ruff Ryders Rapper, Has Died At 50

Earl Simmons, the prolific rapper who came up in the ’90s with a growling vocal style and ruled early aughts hip-hop as Dark Man X, or DMX, died on Friday (April 9). He was 50 years old.

DMX died after experiencing cardiac arrest, multiple sources have reported. He was taken to a hospital in White Plains, New York, where he was in critical condition and on life support for a week. His death was confirmed by his family on Friday.

His family said in a statement, per XXL: "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. Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him."

DMX’s life and career represent a pivotal moment in hip-hop, and music at large, even as he faced personal adversities. Born in Mount Vernon, New York, on December 18, 1970, he was raised in Yonkers. He began rapping as a teen, and named himself DMX for his beatboxing skills, after the Oberheim DMX drum machine. Even with his struggles of growing up in an abusive household and dropping out of school in the fifth grade, his talents laid the foundation for his entrance into the music industry. In 1984, he began performing as a beatboxer with the rapper Ready Ron.

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