Prince Williams/Wireimage
- DMX, the Grammy-nominated musician and actor, died Friday at age 50.
- He experienced a heart attack on April 2 and was hospitalized in New York.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
DMX, the Grammy-nominated rapper who sold more than 23 million albums over the course of his career, died Friday, a week after having a heart attack at his home in New York last week, Def Jam Records confirmed.
"DMX was a brilliant artist and an inspiration to millions around the world," the record label – where DMX recorded some of his biggest hits – confirmed. "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… DMX was nothing less than a giant. His legend will live on forever."
The 50-year-old musician and actor, born Earl Simmons, was brought to a hospital in White Plains and placed in a critical-care unit on April 2, TMZ first reported. The outlet also reported the heart attack was the result of a drug overdose.
DMX was a "warrior who fought till the very end," according to a family statement obtained by People, XXL, and The Associated Press.
"He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him," the statement reads. "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."
DMX's lawyer, Murray Richman, confirmed to Rolling Stone that DMX had experienced a heart attack and was on life support as of Saturday evening. A source told TMZ the rapper had "some brain activity," and another told the outlet he was in a "vegetative state."
Dozens of people gathered Monday night outside the hospital for a prayer vigil in support of the rapper.
Sources told TMZ that tests taken on Wednesday showed DMX's brain function had not improved.
The Yonkers, New York rapper made a name for himself in hip-hop in the late '90s with hits like "Get at Me Dog" and "Party Up (Up in Here)," a track from his best-selling 1999 album, "... And Then There Was X." The album went five-times platinum, selling more than 5 million copies, and earned DMX a best rap album nomination at the 2001 Grammy Awards.
His most successful single was "X Gon' Give It to Ya" from the soundtrack to the 2003 action film "Cradle 2 the Grave," in which he starred alongside martial-arts icon Jet Li. The song found new life after being featured in the 2016 film "Deadpool," based on the Marvel Comics character.
DMX starred in three action films in the early 2000s directed by famed Polish cinematographer Andrzej Bartkowiak, as well as a 2006 reality show called "DMX: Soul of a Man," which aired on BET.
He also spoke publicly about his extensive battle with drug addiction and crack cocaine, which he said started when he was a teen, Billboard reported.
DMX had a number of legal issues related to drug charges and multiple incarcerations, including a tax-fraud conviction in 2017 that led him to spend a year in prison.