DMX (Earl Simmons) was considered to be one of the best Grammy-nominated rappers of his generation and sold over 74 million records overall worldwide.
On April 2, 2021, rapper DMX was rushed to the hospital after suffering a heart attack where he remained on life support until his death on April 9th.
Reports stated that the rapper suffered from a cocaine overdose which caused the heart attack. DMX struggled with addiction throughout much of his life, spending much time in rehab and suffering legal consequences due to possession of drugs.
He had many fans and family, including his ex-wife Tashera Williams and fiancée Desiree Lindstrom. Simmons, age 50, was a father to 15 children. His youngest son with Lindstrom was only 4 years old when he died.
Simmons had been open about his substance abuse and how it influenced his life. In a November 2020 interview, Simmons shared that the first time he used Cocaine he was only 14 years old. In the mid-1980s when Simmons was starting in the music industry, he met a local rapper and his mentor named Ready Ron. At the age of 14, Simmons said he didn’t use any substances, stating in an interview with Talib Kweli, “I didn’t smoke cigarettes, I did not smoke weed, I didn’t do anything, 14 years old.” That was until one day his mentor Ready Ron passed him a blunt that was laced with Cocaine. Simmons expressed his sorrow and frustration, saying in the interview, “Why would you do that to a child? He knew how I looked up to him. Why would you do that to somebody who looks up to you?”
In 2016, Simmons was found unconscious in a hotel parking lot in Yonkers, New York. He had overdosed and was not breathing when police arrived. A medic administered a medication used to treat overdoses in emergency situations – Narcan. No drugs were found at the scene, but Page Six reported that a witness said Simmons had taken a “powdered drug” before the overdose.
Simmons had entered treatment for substance abuse several times. In 2017, the rap star canceled his upcoming concerts to return for treatment. His Instagram shared the news, stating, “In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility. He apologizes for his canceled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support.” Throughout his life, Simmons faced a number of legal charges, including drug possession, animal cruelty, and tax evasion.
