"Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end."
Efter nyheten om att DMX blivit inlagd på sjukhus efter en hjärtattack förra veckan bekräftar nu familjen att den 50-åriga rapparen avlidit. Ruff Ryders-ikonen fick intensivvård på sjukhuset White Plains i New York, där han hölls vid liv med konstgjord andning då han låg i koma. Under fredagskvällen svensk tid bekräftade dock familjen att han gått bort. I ett uttalande skriver man:
“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.”
En representant för sjukhus White Plains gjorde också ett uttalande, där man gav sina kondoleanser till familjen.
“White Plains Hospital extends its deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Simmons, as well as his friends and legions of fans who expressed their unwavering support during this difficult time. Earl Simmons passed away peacefully with family present after suffering a catastrophic cardiac arrest.”
DMX, född Earl Simmons, lämnade ett enormt avtryck på hiphopscenen, både kommersiellt och emotionellt. Hans första två album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” och “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood”, släpptes inom samma år via Def Jam/Ruff Ryders och sålde båda multi-platina.
“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. 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”, skrev Def Jam Recordings i ett uttalande under fredagskvällen.
Rapparens tro var alltid en stor del av hans artisteri, men intensifierades under de senaste åren. 2019, kort efter att ha avtjänat ett 1-årigt fängelsestraff, bjöd Kanye West in DMX för att hålla en Sunday Service-ceremoni där flera spoken word-delar från hans klassiska album reciterades under en bön.
Sommaren 2020 ställdes DMX mot Snoop Dogg i en enormt uppskattad VERZUZ-battle. I februari avslöjade rapparen att hans första album efter fängelsetiden skulle gästas av namn som Pop Smoke, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys Usher och Griselda-gänget. Det är ännu oklart om detta album nu kommer att släppas.
Vila i frid, DMX.
Foto: Wikimedia Commons
