Multiplatinum American rapper and actor, Earl Simmons, known by his stage name DMX, has died at the age of 50, a week after being hospitalized following a heart attack, according to a family statement released Friday.
“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. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever,” the Simmons family said in a statement.
This comes barely 24hours after his manager, Steve Rifkind took to Instagram to debunk death rumours of the rapper, which started trending on social media on Thursday night.
Following a heart attack, DMX was hospitalized in the ICU of New York’s white plains hospital. he spent his final days on life support, as the family visited and as the prayer vigil grew outside the hospital.
The rapper was on life support after suffering a heart attack at his home. The 50-year-old was reportedly without oxygen for almost 30 minutes, causing damage to his lungs and brain. It was previously reported that the heart attack was brought on by a drug overdose, but that has yet to be confirmed.