DMX has been admitted to a New York hospital following a reported drug overdose.
The 50-year-old rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was rushed to a hospital in White Plains, N.Y., on Friday night (April 2) after experiencing a heart attack triggered by the OD, TMZ reports.
On Saturday, DMX’s representatives confirmed to Billboard that the rapper is currently hospitalized, and as of Saturday night, DMX is on life support, reps said.
A source had told TMZ earlier in the day that the Yonkers-bred MC — who has a long history with drug abuse — had “some brain activity,” while another source said he was in a “vegetative state.”
On Sunday it was announced that the Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation will have a prayer vigil for DMX outside of White Plains Hospital (41 East Post Road, White Plains, N.Y.) on Monday (April 5) at 5 p.m. ET. Representatives ask that those attending “please be respectful of the hospital and its staff.”
In early 2019, DMX was released from a West Virginia prison after serving a one-year sentence for federal tax evasion. Later that year, he canceled a series of scheduled live performances and checked himself into rehab for substance abuse.
DMX’s decades-long career includes five No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, starting with his 1998 debut, It’s Dark And Hell is Hot. He has also landed 15 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including “Party (Up in Here).”
In addition to a successful career in music, the rapper has also established an extensive acting career, starring in such films as Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave and Last Hour.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article reported an update from reps that DMX was breathing on his own and not currently in need of life support. However, it was later communicated to Billboard that DMX is still on life support as of Saturday night (April 3).
