Rapper DMX has been admitted to the hospital after reportedly suffering a drug overdose at his home.
The 50-year-old rap artist, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is said to be in a ‘vegetative state’ after purportedly suffering a heart attack brought on by the OD, TMZ reported Saturday.
Sources told the tabloid DMX overdosed around 11pm Friday and was rushed to the hospital in White Plains, New York, where he is now in critical care.
He has been described as having ‘some brain activity,’ but doctors reportedly fear he may not pull through, according to the outlet.
DMX has been hospitalized after allegedly suffering a drug overdose at his home Friday
The 50-year-old rapper is reported to be in a ‘vegetative state’ after suffering a heart attack triggered by an OD. DMX’s last known rehab stint was in October 2019. He had been photographed in public (right) as recently as February
His attorney Murray Richman released a statement on Saturday afternoon confirming DMX was on life support after having a heart attack but did not say if it was triggered by an overdose.
‘I received a call this morning that Earl Simmons was in the hospital, at the White Plains Hospital, and that he had had a heart attack, and I’m not sure how it was induced and that he’s on life support,’ Richman said.
‘I’ve spoken to the family and the family and I are quite close with each other. I am concerned about his well-being and mindful of his significance. I have known Earl for over 25 years and I believe that his music is quite poignant, very important. He’s truly a poet of our time.’.
DMX, who is considered one of the biggest artists of the 90s and early 2000s rap era, has battled substance abuse in the past and has checked into rehab several times over the years.
His last known stint was in October 2019, ten months after his release from prison, but was seen performing on stage again just two months later.
The rapper is not known to have shown any signs of a potential relapse since, and he had been photographed at a public event as recently as February.
DMX has had a number of brushes with law involving drugs and other crimes over the years.
In January 2019, he was released from a West Virginia federal prison after serving a year behind bars for tax fraud.
He pleaded guilty in November 2017 to evading $1.7million in US tax payments between 2002 and 2005. On top of jail time, the Internal Revenue Service ordered him to pay $2.3million in restitution.
Prosecutors said the star had dodged taxes by living on cash, without maintaining a bank account or filing required tax returns to the IRS.
The native of Yonkers, a suburb of New York, was ordered to be under supervised release for three years.
The rap artist, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was released from federal prison in January 2019 after serving a year behind bars for tax fraud. He is pictured leaving court with his attorney in 2017
DMX’s gravelly voice and dark, often violent lyrics catapulted him to fame in the early 90s. The rapper has a colorful criminal history and has been
DMX was said to have been preparing for a comeback during his first year as a free man and had signed a new record deal with Def Jam Records in September that year.
But the following month, just 10 months after his release, the star took to social media to announce he was checking into rehab for an unspecified amount of time.
‘In his ongoing commitment to putting family and sobriety first, DMX has checked himself into a rehab facility. He apologizes for his cancelled shows and thanks his fans for their continued support,’ the post read.
It is unclear how long DMX was in treatment, but by late December he was seen back on stage in Las Vegas where he performed at the Hakkasan Nightclub.
The rapper appeared to be in good spirits and addressed his troubles during the show with a rousing address between songs.
‘When you fall down, get back up, everybody here has been through some s**t and you never know what God is willing to do for you until you need him to do something for you,’ he said to the crowd.
DMX, is famously a father of 15. He is pictured above with Desiree Lindstrom, who gave birth to his youngest child in 2016
The rapper starred in a number of big films in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is pictured above with actor Steven Seagal in a promo shot for 2001 film Exit Wounds
‘You won’t know if he’s willing to pick you up unless you fall down. You won’t know if he’s willing to help you find your way, unless you get lost,’ he added.
DMX, whose deep, gravelly voice and dark, often violent lyrics catapulted him to fame in the early nineties, has a colorful criminal history.
The father of 15 has been arrested for a variety of offenses over the years including drug possession, reckless driving, animal cruelty and failing to pay child support.
Artistically he is best known for his 2000 smash hit ‘Party Up (Up In Here),’ in which he belittles other rappers.
This is a developing story. More to come.
