Rapper DMX — real name Earl Simmons — is dead at the age of 50 after suffering an overdose-induced heart attack almost one week ago.
Simmons was taken to New York’s White Plains Hospital on Saturday, where he was placed on life support.
In the years leading up to his death, Simmons wasn’t shy about bringing people to Jesus Christ and speaking out on what God meant to him and how he’d worked in his life.
What are the details?
In a statement to
XXL Magazine, Simmons’ representatives confirmed news of the rapper’s death.
“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,” the statement said. “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.”
Def Jam Recordings also issued a statement on the rapper’s death.
“Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of our brother Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons,” a statement from Def Jam Recordings read. “DMX was a brilliant artist and an inspiration to millions around the world. His message of triumph over struggle, his search for the light out of darkness, his pursuit of truth and grace brought us closer to our own humanity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him and were touched by him. DMX was nothing less than a giant. His legend will live on forever.”
The rapper was set to release a new album with the record label, XXL reported.
Anything else?
The rapper, who has battled drug addiction over the years, previously checked himself into drug rehab in 2019 to maintain his hard-fought sobriety.
“DMX made his return to the stage following rehab in December 2019 when he hit Hakkasan in Las Vegas, chatting it up and taking photos with fans before he hit the stage,”
TMZ reported at the time. “During the Vegas show, he took a moment to tell fans, ‘When you fall down, get back up, everyone here has been through some s*** and you never know what God is willing to do for you until you need him to do something for you.'”
Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ
The late rapper made God the focal point of many of his discussions over the last several years.
In 2020, Simmons held a
virtual altar call during an Instagram Live session, reaching at least 14,000 viewers with his message of the Gospel.
At the time, Simmons cited Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which
says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
He also encouraged his followers to turn to Jesus Christ amid the pandemic and heightened global concern.
“God is giving you the time,” he said. “He’s giving you the time to get closer to Him, to become familiar with Him. At the end of the day, at the beginning of the day, it’s going to be God’s will. If you try to understand why He does what He does, you’re just going to end up with a headache. Just do the right thing.”
Simmons added, “The word says my people perish for lack of knowledge. Perish is not always dying. It’s being lost, not being found, not being able to be found.”
In February, the Christian Post reported that DMX was featured on a new Christian rap song titled “Prayer” along with Mike Servin and Kurtis Hoppie.
On the track, DMX rapped, “Didn’t ask God for what I wanted I wait / Until He felt like I earned it / then He gave it / Anything worth having is worth earning / the true nature of man is definitely worth learning. I knew from the start this life wasn’t mine. That’s why from the start, I put my life on the line. [inaudible] run around crying about dying / I have faith / Ima go when it’s my time.”
GTI (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (feat. Mike Servin’, Earl Simmons & Marshall Pulliam)
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