American hip-hop artist Earl Simmons, popularly known as DMX, is dead: his family announced his death in a statement.
“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,” family’s statement read in part.
The artist had been hospitalized since last week when he suffered a heart attack at his home in New York, according to his long-time attorney, Murray Richman.
DMX (Dark Man X) began rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” in 1998.
DMX became one of the reigning stars of hardcore hip hop and was the premier artist signed to the Ruffhouse Records label.