Image via Getty
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 rapper has “some brain activity.” Another source says he’s in a “vegetative state” and doctors have cautioned he may not make it.
DMX has battled substance abuse for years, last checking into a rehab facility in October 2019, less than nine months after he was released from prison on tax evasion charges.
Several of X’s peers in the hip-hop community took to social media to share their support, including Rick Ross, T.I., Missy Elliott, and Ja Rule.
“Shake back Big Bro. We made plans Maaaan We got shit to do!!!” wrote T.I. “We laughed so hard about how far we’ve made it in life this night. I appreciate you so much for pulling up & and checking on a ni**a. So now I’m tellin’ you like you told me…This too shall pass… #PrayersUpForDMX.”
According to ABC7, DMX’s 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.
“I 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 I’m not sure how it was induced and that he’s on life support,” Richman said.
Despite other reports, he did not say that X suffered from an overdose.
“I’ve 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. He’s truly a poet of our time,” Richman said.
In an interview with Pix11, Richman says DMX has been “taken off the life support system and he’s breathing on his own.” However, he adds, “we are concerned.”
In a statement to Complex, a spokeperson said, “I can confirm that X is off life support and is breathing on his own. Still not out the woods yet.”
When Richman spoke to Rolling Stone later this evening, he says he was “given wrong information” 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 “paramedics tried resuscitating him for 30 minutes, and during that time he was deprived of oxygen.” Doctors say the lack of oxygen has severely impacted X’s brain. One family source said that “it’s not looking good.”
The same family source said his children are flying in to see him.
In an official statement to TMZ, DMX’s representative says he was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at home, making no mention of a drug overdose.
“At 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.”
The rep continued, “The 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. It is reassuring to see his fans return that same passion and energy to him during his time of need.”
This story is being updated.
