DMX sadly died on April 9, 2021, at the age of 50. Take a look at the legendary rapper’s life in photos.
1 of 15DMX
Rapper DMX is seen at the launch of The Matrix Video game in Los Angeles on February 4, 2003. He wore a gray t-shirt, beanie and oversized black hoodie for the event.
DMX — an acronyn for ‘Dark Man X’ — was born Earl Simmons on December 18, 1970. He got in early start in the music industry as a beatboxer for rapper Ready Ron back in 1984. While in prison, he began to write his own music — eventually releasing a mixtape in the ‘early 90s. In 1991, he released “Unstoppable Force and Three Little Pigs,” eight years before his breakout release “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot.” The latter sold over 200,000 copies in a week. He followed up the project with 1999’s “…And Then There Was X” which spawned his biggest career hit “Party Up (Up in Here).”
Outside of music, the Mount Vernon native has also appeared in several films, including Romeo Must Die, Cradle 2, and Belly. He also had a reality series on on BET called DMX: Soul of a Man. Sadly, DMX died at the age of 50 on April 9, 2021 after suffering a heart attack. Click through our gallery to see photos of DMX over the years.
DMX Performing At Woodstock
DMX performs at Woodstock 99 in upstate New York. He wore orange overalls as he took the stage for his outdoor performance.
DMX At ‘Never Die Alone’ Premiere
DMX poses with his ex, Tashera simmons, their son, and godson at the ‘Never Die Alone’ premiere. The men all matched in leather jackets at the event.
DMX Kissing Then-Wife Tashera Simmons
DMX plants a kiss on his then-wife, Tashera Simmons, after an appearance in criminal court. The two looked blissfully happy, despite the circumstances.
DMX In Las Vegas
DMX takes the stage for a performance in Las Vegas in 1999. He was at the height of his rap career at the time.
DMX With His Dog
DMX poses for photos wit hhis dog, Gotti, in Jan. 2006. He was celebrating his record label change at the time, and brought his dog along for the ride.
DMX
DMX poses for a photo in baggy pants and a t-shirt. He also wore a chain necklace around his neck.
DMX At VMAs in 2003
DMX squats down for photos while attending the 2003 Video Music Awards. He wore a matching sweatsuit for the event.
DMX In ‘Exit Wounds’
DMX makes an appearance in the movie ‘Exit Wounds’ in 2001. He wore a cut-off tank top for the role.
DMX in ‘Cradle 2 The Grave’
DMX is seen in a still on-set of 2003’s ‘Cradle 2 The Grave,’ directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak. The movie also starred Jet Li, Gabrielle Union and Kelly Hu.
DMX at the ‘Never Die Alone’ premiere
DMX arrives at the premiere for ‘Never Die Alone’ in NYC on March 24, 2004. He wore a black bucket hat and matching coat for the event.
DMX performs at Chene Park
DMX is seen in concert at Detroit’s Chene Park on June 9, 2012. He opted to go shirtless, wearing a pair of green plaid boxer shorts and lowrise black pants.
DMX leaves court in 2018
In this August 2017 photo, DMX — né Earl Simmons — leaves Manhattan’s federal court in New York after an appearance in his tax fraud case. DMX faced five years in prison when he is sentenced, for trying to dodge $1.7 million in taxes.
DMX performs in Fort Lauderdale
DMX is seen on-stage in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 10, 2019. The rapper has released 8 studio albums to date.
DMX on stage in 2019
DMX is seen again on-stage at a 2019 Florida concert in Fort Lauderdale. The rapper wore a black graphic t-shirt and black pants for the show, adding two diamond chain necklaces.
