Veteran US rapper, Earl Simmons, also known as DMX, has died at the age of 50, his family has announced on Friday.
Naija News reports that the iconic rapper was rushed to the hospital on April 2 after suffering a heart attack following a drug overdose.
On Thursday, his manager had confirmed that he was in a vegetative state and doctors warned that he might not survive the attack.
DMX helped build the Ruff Ryders into a famous music label during the late 1990s, and rose to fame in 1998 with his blockbuster debut, “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot”.
The family in a statement released said: “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.
“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.”