DMX’s ‘worried’ lawyer updates fans on rapper’s health after heart attack: ‘He’s breathing on his own’
Rapper was reportedly in ‘grave condition’ in a New York hospital
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
DMX has been taken off life support after suffering a heart attack.
The rapper, 50, was reported to have been in critical care in a New York hospital after triggering an attack by taking an overdose on Friday (2 April).
After news broke that claimed he was in a “vegetative state”, DMX’s attorney has updated fans on his health, saying that he is now breathing on his own.
However, Murray Richman told PIX11 News: “It would be disingenuous to suggest that I’m not a worried man at this particular point.”
Richman said: “He’s been in the hospital as a result of a heart attack. He has been taken off life support system and he’s breathing on his own.”
DMX – real name Earl Simmons – is one of the biggest rap stars to have emerged from the 1990s.
The rapper has a history of addiction and has been in and out of rehab over the years.
Most recently, he checked himself into an addiction centre in 2019, which prompted him to cancel a series of shows.
After leaving rehab, he addressed his time there during a Las Vegas concert, telling fans in December 2019: “When you fall down, get back up. Everyone here has been through some s***, and you never know what God is willing to do for you until you need him to do something for you.”
In 2013, during a televised interview with American TV personality Dr Phil, DMX said that he believed he was “always going to be an addict until I die”.
In the US, his first five albums, including the 1998 debut It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, immediately reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
The rapper has also appeared in numerous films, including action thrillers Romeo Must Die (2000), Exit Wounds (2001) and Cradle 2 the Grave (2003).
Just last year, DMX was praised by fans after posting a bible study video during lockdown, which showed him reading passages from Ecclesiastes.