Still, he was garnering buzz for his demos, and his first single, “Born Loser,” was released on Ruffhouse, a subsidiary of Columbia Records, in 1992. In 1984, DMX began beatboxing for local rappers like Ready Ron, but amid a litany of legal problems, his career failed to gain traction. He was in and out of boys’ homes for much of his youth, and it was in one of these facilities that he developed his interest in music and first adopted his stage name, short for Dark Man X. 18, 1970, in Mount Vernon, New York, and raised in Yonkers, DMX endured a troubled childhood, experiencing horrific physical abuse from his mother at a very young age. 1 on the Billboard charts, and he sold well over 20 million records.īorn on Dec. The first five of his eight career studio albums debuted at No. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalized.”Īn artist who defined hip-hop in the late 1990s and early 2000s, DMX eschewed the “bling” of some of his contemporaries, winning over fans and critics with his gritty hardcore lyrics and aggressive style that featured his unmistakable gravelly voice. Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle and the man the world knew as DMX. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world, and his iconic legacy will live on forever. “He loved his family with all of his heart, and we cherish the times we spent with him. “Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end,” read a family statement. He had been on life support and, according to his former manager, in a “vegetative state.” He was 50.ĭMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, died at White Plains Hospital in New York after being admitted April 2 following a drug overdose and subsequent heart attack. DMX, the New York rapper behind such iconic songs as “Party Up (Up in Here)” and “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” and the star of action movies including Exit Wounds, Cradle 2 the Grave and Romeo Must Die, died Friday.

X gon give it to ya cradle 2 the grave