DMX, the energetic, passionate, award-nominated rapper and actor, has died a week after suffering a heart attack. He was 50.
Born Earl Simmons, X died at White Plains Hospital in New York on Friday, his family confirms by PEOPLE and CNN.
"We are deeply saddened to announce today that our loved one, DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, passed away at 50 years old at White Plains Hospital with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days," they wrote in a statement.
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Despite all of his past public run-ins with the law, drugs and arrests plus welcoming his 15th child into the world last year, DMX had said he was destined to be a preacher.
DMX (which stand for "Dark Man X"), had turned to Dr. Phil to open up about his dark past and personal struggles. During the interview, he revealed that he suffers from bipolar disorder.
While it may sound bipolar to think that he can both a pastor and a rapper, DMX has shared that he wanted to do both.
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"That's where I can't give you an answer-will I have more influence as a pastor or a rap artist?" DMX previously said in a radio interview. "But I do believe that God allowed my music career to create the platform to lay the foundation to gain the ear, to gain the credibility, so that way when I do become a pastor, I don't think I'm going to lose fans, I think I'm going to gain more."
And during the recent pandemic, X had been using his platform to start preaching.
DMX had taken to social media to share the good news of the Bible. The rapper took to Instagram Live during the middle of the pandemic and hosted a virtual Bible study. The only notice he gave was a very vague video announcement earlier that day where he said he had “something personal to share.” Many wondered if it was bad news since a lot of us only know the DMX whose very public battle with substance abuse, domestic disputes, dogfighting, and numerous run-ins with police were on display constantly in the news.
But during DMX’s Friday live session on Instagram, he went through scriptures in the bible in hopes to share God’s good news and help people deal with the uncertain times of this coronavirus pandemic. One particular piece of his bible study X was going through the book of Ecclesiastes 3. It was during this section that he spoke about “a time being for everything” happening right now, even social distancing.
A number of fans who were viewing the live bible study commented on how sober, clean and clear the rapper looked while speaking. It’s something many fans haven’t seen in a while. I must admit, X seemed authentic and real without being over-the-top or preachy.
"I say miracles only happen on the platform of tragedy. If there's not a difficult situation, if there's not a situation where you can't see you possibly getting through on your own then where's the potential for the miracle?
"If it wasn't that difficult then it would be just another situation that you got through with a little bit of time, but because it was something bigger than you, something that you know took more than you to get you through; It's not that God made these things happen but what I'm saying is that He allowed those things to happen, just so you know what He's willing to do for you."
But it was on June 28, 2016 that DMX went back on the nationally syndicated radio show, The Breakfast Club, and shared some of his "method of madness" and even shared a powerful prayer.
READ: What's The Difference Between Bipolar Disorder & Depression?
“I used to be really clear on who was what and what characteristics each personality had. But I don’t know at this point. I’m not even sure there is a difference,” he continued. “I'm Earl when I'm with my children. I miss my children, I miss my children, I miss my children."
DMX, whose struggles with substance abuse have been documented for a long time, says that he’s trying to get clean and is taking it in stride.
“Every day, I start my day off with a prayer to ask the Lord to guide my steps. Cover me and keep me safe. Every album, there’s a gospel song and a prayer. Every album, from the beginning.”
What many may not know is that DMX has been ordained as a Deacon at a Christian ministry in New York State before 2009 and has preached before!
“I read the whole bible. I just been made a deacon at the church I used to go to—Morning Star. I would like my first sermon to be there or in Yonkers.”
DMX, interestingly, muses about what it means to be ready for true transformation and realizes that reading the Bible is not enough.
“The biggest step is not in the studying, reading, but the wanting to change the way you live. Wanting different things for yourself, and making that change because if you still want to drink and smoke, you could read as much as you want, that doesn’t mean you’re ready.”
Despite multiple jail stints and highly publicized turmoil in his life, the rapper maintains that he desires to serve the Lord, eventually retire from music, and settle down as a preacher.
As difficult as it is for the media to discern between Earl Simmons and DMX, the rapper has similar issues on a personal level and says that he’s not even sure that there is a difference sometimes: “I used to be really clear on who was what and what characteristics each personality had. But I don’t know at this point. I’m not even sure there is a difference. I’m Earl when I’m with my children. I miss my children, I miss my children, I miss my children.”
“I’m not the person the media portrays me to be,” platinum rapper DMX says. “X is the bad guy. That’s not who I am. I’m not that person you see on TV.”
Rest In Peace, X. We love you.
