White Plains, NY – The family of one of Hip Hop’s most iconic artists has confirmed that he has met with an untimely end.
Rapper DMX passed away on April 9 after being hospitalized due to complications from a heart attack. Although it has been speculated that the cardiac episode was caused by a drug overdose, that has yet to be officially determined.
Born Earl Simmons on December 18, 1970 in Mount Vernon, NY, he took on the alias DMX due to his fondness for the Oberheim DMX drum machine when he first fell in love with rap music. The name was also used as an abbreviation for “Dark Man X.”
DMX began minor music work in the 1980s before becoming a more rounded artist in the 1990s after being incarcerated. After several guest appearances with other stars, DMX broke out into the mainstream with the album “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot\” in 1998. The album dominated the charts, the radio, and the streets, with many fans blaring his music all throughout their neighborhoods.
In addition to dropping several acclaimed and successful albums, DMX also did some acting. Among his films were “Belly,” “Romeo Must Die,” and “Exit Wounds.” Most of his performances were similar to his rap style, with raw hardcore emotion, but the occasional sensitive touch.
Despite his success, Simmons had a troubled life at times. After his tumultuous upbringing in Yonkers that included years of abuse, he was first jailed for stealing a dog in 1986. Simmons would run afoul of the law many more times, in cases that included drugs and weapons charges, driving offenses, child support, taxes, assault, animal cruelty, impersonation and others.
DMX is survived by his many children and wife Tashera Simmons.
