DMX was hospitalized Friday night after suffering a heart attack that was triggered by an apparent drug overdose, TMZ reports.
After overdosing at his home around 11 p.m., DMX was rushed to a hospital in White Plains, New York. He is currently in the critical care unit. A source close to the family tells TMZ that the 50-year-old rapperΒ hasΒ βsome brain activity.β Another source says heβs in a βvegetative stateβ and doctors have cautioned he may not make it.Β
DMX has battled substance abuse for years, last checking into a rehab facility inΒ October 2019, less than nine months after he was released from prison on tax evasion charges.
Several of Xβs peers in the hip-hop community tookΒ to social media to share their support, including Rick Ross, T.I., Missy Elliott, and Ja Rule.Β
βShake back Big Bro. We made plans Maaaan We got shit to do!!!βΒ wroteΒ T.I.Β βWe laughed so hard about how far weβve made it in life this night. I appreciate you so much for pulling up & and checking on a ni**a. So now Iβm tellinβ you like you told me...This too shall passβ¦Β #PrayersUpForDMX.βΒ
According to ABC7, DMXβs attorney, Murray Richman, said he spoken to the family and confirmed he had a heart attack. He also says the rapper was on life support.
βI received a call this morning that Earl Simmons was in the hospital, at the White Plains Hospital, and that he had a heart attack, and Iβm not sure how it was induced and that heβs on life support,β Richman said.
Despite other reports, he did not say that X suffered from an overdose.
βIβve 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. Heβs truly a poet of our time,β Richman said.
In an interview with Pix11, Richman says DMX has been βtaken off the life support system and heβs breathing on his own.β However, he adds, βwe are concerned.β
In a statement to Complex, a spokeperson said, βI can confirm that X is off life support and is breathing on his own. Still not out the woods yet.β
When Richman spoke to Rolling Stone later this evening, he says he was βgiven wrong informationβ and said that the rapper remains on life support.
TMZ updated their original story with details from a family member. The family member tells TMZ βparamedics tried resuscitating him for 30 minutes, and during that time he was deprived of oxygen.β Doctors say the lack of oxygen has severely impacted Xβs brain. One family source said that βitβs not looking good.β
The same family source said his children are flying in to see him.
In an official statement to TMZ and VladTV, DMXβs representative says theyβre βissuing this statement to combat all the false and misleading reports that are circulating on social media.β
He was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home, making no mention of a drug overdose.
βAt this time he remains in ICU in critical condition. Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must conquer.β
The rep continued, βThe Simmons Family appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of heartfelt love, encouragement, support, and prayers for Earl. Earl is someone whose life and music have been a source of inspiration and strength to so many people around the world. Β It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need.β
This story is being updated.