Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, and More Pay Tribute to DMX Following His Death

Christopher Luu
·3 min read
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Rapper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, passed away today. The New York Times reports that a week ago, he suffered "a catastrophic cardiac arrest" and was on life support at White Plains Hospital in New York.

"Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end," the Simmons family said in a statement. "He loved his family with all of his heart, and we cherish the times we spent with him."

On April 2, reports emerged that DMX had suffered a heart attack and days later, representatives shared that he was in a coma and "in a vegetative state." Outside the hospital, fans gathered for a vigil, playing his music and holding their arms up in an X until he passed away.

Fans and colleagues from the music industry shared messages on Twitter, celebrating DMX's work and legacy. He was the first rapper to have his first five albums reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts (no other rapper has done it since) and as a member of the Ruff Ryders label, he worked alongside Swizz Beatz, Eve, and Jadakiss.

Fans shared their favorite clips from DMX's discography and his music videos, which became a mainstay of MTV. He became most well-known for tracks like "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "Party Up (Up in Here)," which were often used at sporting events.

Celebrities such as Halle Berry, Gabrielle Union, and Viola Davis offered condolences to DMX's friends and family and shared memories of his many performances.