Hip-Hop Icon And Rapper DMX Rushed To Hospital Following Heart Attack

American rapper and musician DMX is in a critical condition in hospital following a heart attack, said his lawyer Murray Richman.

Mr Richman told U.S. media he did not know if the heart attack was caused by a drug overdose, as reported by TMZ.

DMX has publicly fought drug abuse for years, and has spent several time in rehabilitation.

‘He Was On Life Support’

He is widely regarded as a hip-hop icon, and has worked with artists including JAY-Z, Ja Rule, Eve and LL Cool J as well as appearing in films.

The 50-year-old, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was taken to a hospital in White Plains, New York on Friday evening, Mr Richman said, surrounded by his family.

“He was supported by life support,” the lawyer said. “He was been taken off from life support now. He is breathing on his own but there is a little brain activity.”

Controversial Career

The father of a fifteen year old child DMX has previously served prison sentences for crimes such as animal abuse, reckless driving, drug possession and possession of a firearm.

In 2018 he made headlines for playing one of his songs for a judge in court while facing tax fraud charges. After listening to the song, the judge described DMX as “a good man” and sentenced him to one year in prison.

‘Earl Is A Sweet Guy’

In 2016 he stopped breathing and had to be rehabilitated/resuscitated in a hotel car park in New York State.

DMX has a career spanning more than 20 years, and in music, it has appeared in films including Cradle 2 the Grave and Romeo Must Die, both starring Jet Li.

“Earl is a sweet guy,” Mr Richman said. “Earl was a person who could tell such a story. He was a person with such depth. It’s a heartbreaker.”