Hip-hop legend DMX dies

DMX, the raspy, growling New York rapper who rose to fame with his 1998 blockbuster debut, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” and became a chart and tabloid mainstay for years after, has died at age 50. He was hospitalized on April 2 after suffering a heart attack following a reported drug overdose, and had been in a vegetative state, according to his manager.

“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,” said a statement released by his family. “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. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle and the man the world knew as DMX. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalized.”

DMX was a dominant figure in hip-hop and popular music in the late 1990s and 2000s. Each of his first five albums reached No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.

Those works solidified his reputation as an intense performer who moved boldly among party and sex-themed music and songs that brashly chronicled his demons, abusive upbringing and struggles with his faith. Seven months after his Def Jam debut, DMX released his second album, “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,” during 1998’s Christmas week. The album sold just shy of 700,000 copies in its debut week, according to Billboard.

At the peak of his success, DMX crossed over into acting, with roles in action films such as 1998’s “Belly,” 2000’s “Romeo Must Die” and 2001’s “Exit Wounds.”

News that Simmons was hospitalized was first reported by TMZ, which said the artist was taken to a critical care unit at White Plains Hospital in New York at around 11 p.m. Friday. Artists such as Missy Elliott, Swizz Beatz, Ice-T, SZA and Chance the Rapper posted their best wishes on social media for Simmons and his family.