Rapper-actor DMX dead at 50 after heart attack

Performer was known for his gruff delivery and popular hip-hop songs like 'Ruff Ryders' Anthem'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DMX at the Soul Train Music Awards in 2000. Reuters

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

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

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

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

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

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

DMX, the raspy-voiced hip-hop artist who produced the songs Ruff Ryders' Anthem and Party Up (Up in Here) and who rapped with a trademark delivery that was often paired with growls, barks and "What!" as an ad-lib, has died, according to a statement from his family. He was 50.

The Grammy-nominated performer died after suffering "catastrophic cardiac arrest," according to the hospital in White Plains, New York, where he died. He was taken there from his home April 2.

A statement from relatives said he died “with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days".

The rapper, whose real name was Earl Simmons, had struggled with drug addiction since his teenage years. His lawyer, Murray Richman, had earlier said he could not confirm reports that DMX overdosed.

DMX made a splash in rap music in 1998 with his first studio album It's Dark and Hell is Hot, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The multiplatinum-selling album was anchored by several hits including Ruff Ryders' Anthem, Get At Me Dog, Stop Being Greedy and How It's Goin' Down.

DMX followed up with four straight chart-topping albums including … And Then There Was X; Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood; The Great Depression; and Grand Champ. He released seven albums, earned three Grammy nominations and was named favourite rap/hip-hop artist at the 2000 American Music Awards.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DMX arrived on the rap scene around the same time as Jay-Z, Ja Rule and others who dominated the charts and emerged as platinum-selling acts. They were all part of rap crews, too: DMX fronted the Ruff Ryders collective, which helped launch the careers of Grammy winners Eve and Swizz Beatz, and relaunch The Lox, formerly signed to Bad Boy Records. Ruff Ryders had success on the charts and on radio with its Ryde or Die compilation albums.

Along with his musical career, DMX also became an actor. He starred in the 1998 film Belly and appeared in 2000′s Romeo Must Die with Jet Li and Aaliyah. DMX and Aaliyah teamed up for Come Back in One Piece on the film's soundtrack.

The rapper would later open Aaliyah's tribute music video, Miss You, alongside her other friends and collaborators, including Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim and Queen Latifah, after Aaliyah's 2001 death in a plane crash at age 22.

The rapper also starred in 2001′s Exit Wounds with Steven Seagal and 2003′s Cradle 2 the Grave with Li.

But while DMX made his mark as one of hip-hop’s most recognisable names for his rap artistry and as an actor, the rapper was personally stifled by his legal battles – he was repeatedly arrested and jailed within a decade – and drug addiction. His addiction first took hold at age 14 when he smoked a marijuana cigarette laced with cocaine.

DMX pleaded guilty in 2004 after he posed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his SUV through a security gate at New York’s Kennedy Airport. He was arrested in 2008 on drug and animal cruelty charges following an overnight raid on his house in Phoenix. He tried to barricade himself in his bedroom but emerged when a SWAT team entered his home.

In 2010, he was sentenced to a year in prison for breaching the terms of his probation. After he was admitted to rehab numerous times over the next year, he said he had finally beat his drug addiction.

First responders helped bring DMX back to life after he was found in a hotel car park in New York in 2016. The rapper said he suffered from asthma.

A couple of years later, DMX was sentenced to a year in prison for tax fraud. Prosecutors said he had concocted a multiyear scheme to hide millions of dollars in income from the IRS and get around nearly $2 million in tax liabilities.

After his release, DMX planned a 32-date tour to mark the 20th anniversary of It's Dark and Hell is Hot. But the rapper cancelled a series of shows to check himself into a rehab facility in 2019. In an Instagram post, his team said he apologised for the cancelled shows and thanked his fans for the continued support.

Besides his legal troubles, DMX took the initiative to help the less fortunate. He gave a group of Philadelphia men advice during a surprise appearance at a homeless support group meeting in 2017 and helped a Maine family with its back-to-school purchases a couple years later.

Last year, DMX faced off against Snoop Dogg in a Verzuz battle, which drew more than 500,000 viewers.

He is survived by his 15 children and mother.