Fan's story of meeting rapper DMX goes viral: 'He was so authentic and candid'

The American performer is on life support at a hospital in New York

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  DMX attends a party at Elleven45 Lounge, in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on February 19. On Saturday, April 3, the rapper and actor was admitted to hospital in New York and placed on life support, following a heart attack. Getty Images

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  DMX performs at Masters Of Ceremony 2019, at Barclays Centre in New York.

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  DMX and Jet Li in a scene from 2003 film, 'Cradle 2 The Grave'. Rex Features

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  DMX's fifth album, 2003's 'Grand Champ', debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 charts.

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  DMX, also known as Earl Simmons, exits the US Federal Court in Manhattan, New York, in July 2017, following a hearing regarding income tax evasion charges. Reuters

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  DMX performs on stage at Warsaw Challenge 2014 in Sowinski Park, Warsaw, Poland, in May 2014. EPA

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  A police photograph of DMX, after his arrest on August 20, 2013, in South Carolina, on a previous warrant for driving under a suspended license and a new charge of possession of marijuana. Reuters

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  DMX poses for photos backstage at the Soul Train Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 4, 2000. Getty Images

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  DMX, his wife Tashera Simmons and their children attend the premiere of 'Exit Wounds' on March 9, 2001, in New York. Getty Images

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  DMX at the Soul Train Music Awards in 2000. Reuters

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  DMX in a scene from the 2000 film, 'Romeo Must Die'. Warner Bros

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  DMX accepts the award for Favourite Rap/Hip Hop artist, during a live broadcast of the American Music Awards show on January 17, 2000, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Getty Images

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  Actor and former rapper Mark Wahlberg and DMX on stage during a live broadcast of the MTV Video Music Awards in New York, on September 6, 2001. Reuters

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  DMX and actor Steven Segal attend the premiere of 'Exit Wounds' on March 9, 2001, at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York. Getty Images

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  DMX offers a prayer after winning the R&B Albums Artist of the Year award at the 1999 Billboard Music Awards show at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images

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  DMX accepts the award for Favourite Rap/Hip Hop artist, during a live broadcast of the American Music Awards show January 17, 2000, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Getty Images

While #RIPDMX was trending on Friday, as rumours circulated that DMX had died, another, more heartwarming story about the US rapper was also going viral.

A fan's tale about the time she met the veteran New York rapper and actor, born Earl Simmons, captured the attention of social media users and media across the world.

On Tuesday, April 6, Jennifer Fraser posted on Twitter about an "authentic and candid" chat she had on a plane with DMX, 50, who was on life support in a hospital in New York following a heart attack a week ago. He died on Friday.

The meeting took place on a trip to San Diego she was taking with her step daughter, Mia, who had graduated from college. Fraser had upgraded them to first class at the last minute, and as they settled in, someone "famous with his entourage in tow" sat down next to her.

The Let Me Fly star introduced himself as "D", to which Fraser asked, "D, the letter?". Simmons said, "Yes, D, DMX."

Fraser admits she didn't recognise him, although later adds "his music was present during many fun nights in college".

From there they got into a conversation about everything from social media to the musical Hamilton ("DMX wasn't familiar") and race to his incarceration.

She even got to listen to an unreleased song that had been recorded with John Legend.

"He was so authentic and candid," she wrote. "He talked about his kids, he has [15] kids. He worried about them and told me how much he enjoyed being a father." He also talked about his grandmother and her cancer, as well as his faith, Fraser added.

"As we stood to retrieve our bags overhead he asked for my phone number and asked if we would come to his performance as his guests." Deciding that he was just being "polite" and "of course he wouldn't call", Fraser gave it to him.

Later, however, DMX did call, and they accompanied him to the gig, where they watched him perform a set.

"DMX is a talented artist, a loving father and a kind soul," she wrote, as she concluded the thread. "I hope they release the song about his grandmother, I remember it being very different and personal."

This week, a number of vigils have been held by fans and family members outside the White Plains Hospital, where DMX was on life support in New York.

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  DMX'S ex-wife Tashera Simmons, left, and his fiancée Desiree Lindstrom embrace during a prayer vigil outside of White Plains Hospital, Monday, April 5, 2021, in White Plains. AP Photo

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  A fan attaches balloons during a vigil for musician and actor DMX on April 6. Reuters

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  Fans of hospitalized rapper Earl Simmons, aka DMX, attend a prayer vigil hosted by the Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation at White Plains Hospital on April 5, 2021 in White Plains, New York. AFP

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  Gritty US rapper DMX was hospitalized and on life support on April 3 after a heart attack, his lawyer Murray Richman told AFP. AFP

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  Members of a motorcycle club perform a burn out during a vigil for musician and actor DMX outside White Plains Hospital on April 6. Reuters

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  A fan toasts during a vigil for musician and actor DMX on April 6. Reuters

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  A fan takes part in a vigil for musician and actor DMX outside White Plains Hospital. Reuters

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  DMX is still on life support as of April 9, according to his manager Steve Rifkind. Reuters

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  A fan lights candles during a vigil ffr DMX on April 6. Reuters

On Thursday, rumours spread across the internet that DMX had died, however his manager Steve Rifkind shared a statement on Instagram saying he was still alive.

"Everybody, please stop with posting these rumours," he said in a video message. “DMX is still alive. Yes, he is on life support, but please, it’s not helping anybody by having them see these false rumours. Let the family relax for a night.”

He added that Simmons's family is expected to make another statement "some time tomorrow".

Later on Friday, however, the family released a statement saying he had died "with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days".