Editing DMX (section)

==Health problems and death==
Simmons claimed he became addicted to [[crack cocaine]] when he was 14 years old, after Ready Ron tricked him into smoking a marijuana cigarette laced with the drug.<ref>{{Cite AV media | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwcbG1rIp8Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/qwcbG1rIp8Y| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live| title=DMX On Getting Tricked Into Smoking Crack At 14 By His Rap Mentor | work=[[Uproxx]] | via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=curse/> Ready Ron denied this claim in a social media post after Simmons's death.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lawson |first1=Amira |title=Ready Ron Claims He Didn't Expose DMX to Drugs At 14 - The Source |url=https://thesource.com/2021/04/16/ready-ron-claims-he-didnt-expose-dmx-to-drugs-at-14/ |website=The Source |access-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115012239/https://thesource.com/2021/04/16/ready-ron-claims-he-didnt-expose-dmx-to-drugs-at-14/ |archive-date=15 January 2024 |date=16 April 2021}}</ref>

Simmons entered [[drug rehabilitation]] several times including in 2002, 2017, and 2019, when he canceled concerts.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dmx-check-drug-rehab-bailing-152024760.html | title=DMX Check Into Drug Rehab After Bailing On Def Jam 35th Anniversary | first=Mike | last=Walters | work=[[Yahoo!]] | date=October 13, 2019 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064023/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dmx-check-drug-rehab-bailing-152024760.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dmx-rehab-cancels-concerts-898349/ | title=DMX Returns to Rehab, Cancels Concerts | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=October 13, 2019 | access-date=April 11, 2021 | archive-date=April 13, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413083407/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dmx-rehab-cancels-concerts-898349/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 10, 2016, Simmons was found unresponsive in a parking lot at a Ramada Inn in Yonkers, New York.<ref name=lifeless>{{cite news | url=https://www.fox61.com/article/entertainment/arts/cas-artist/rapper-dmx-found-lying-lifeless-in-ny-hotel-parking-lot/520-67b703b2-185f-41ed-a48b-302805a9e6dc | title=Rapper DMX found lifeless in NY hotel parking lot | work=[[WTIC-TV]] | date=February 9, 2016 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410064017/https://www.fox61.com/article/entertainment/arts/cas-artist/rapper-dmx-found-lying-lifeless-in-ny-hotel-parking-lot/520-67b703b2-185f-41ed-a48b-302805a9e6dc | url-status=live }}</ref> He was resuscitated by first responders and intravenously given [[Naloxone|Narcan]], an opioid-reversal drug; he responded quickly and became semi-conscious.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/dmx-rushed-hospital-collapses-pulse-article-1.2525496 | title=DMX rushed to hospital after he stops breathing, collapses without a pulse after allegedly ingesting 'some sort of substance' | first1=Edgar | last1=Sandoval | first2=Peter | last2=Sblendorio | first3=Nancy | last3=Dillon | work=[[New York Daily News]] | date=February 9, 2016 | access-date=April 10, 2021 | archive-date=February 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209215851/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/dmx-rushed-hospital-collapses-pulse-article-1.2525496 | url-status=live }}</ref> Simmons was subsequently rushed to the hospital. A witness said he ingested a powdered substance before collapsing,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dickson |first1=Caitlin |title=Rapper DMX revived by Narcan — the opioid antidote that stops an overdose in its tracks |url=https://news.yahoo.com/rapper-dmx-revived-by-narcan%E2%80%94the-opioid-antitdote-that-stops-an-overdose-in-its-tracks-005115193.html |website=Yahoo News |access-date=15 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115013913/https://news.yahoo.com/rapper-dmx-revived-by-narcan%E2%80%94the-opioid-antitdote-that-stops-an-overdose-in-its-tracks-005115193.html |archive-date=15 January 2024 |date=11 February 2016}}</ref> but police found no illegal substances on the property.<ref name=lifeless/> Simmons stated that it was from an asthma attack.<ref name=lifeless/>
[[File:DMX Shrine in White Plains, New York.jpg|thumb|DMX shrine outside White Plains Hospital, where he died]]
On April 2, 2021, at approximately 11:00pm,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ly|first=Laura|date=April 3, 2021|title=Rapper DMX is hospitalized and on life support following heart attack, longtime lawyer says|publisher=[[CNN]]|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/03/us/dmx-hospitalized-life-support-heart-attack/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=April 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404022039/https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/03/us/dmx-hospitalized-life-support-heart-attack/index.html|archive-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref> Simmons was rushed to [[White Plains Hospital]], where he was reported to be in critical condition following a heart attack at his home possibly resulting from a drug overdose.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=April 4, 2021|title=Rapper DMX On Life Support Following Heart Attack |publisher=[[NPR]]| url=https://www.npr.org/2021/04/04/984133546/rapper-dmx-on-life-support-following-heart-attack|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404142832/https://www.npr.org/2021/04/04/984133546/rapper-dmx-on-life-support-following-heart-attack|archive-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=April 3, 2021|title=Rapper DMX in hospital after heart attack|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56627823|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403224207/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56627823|archive-date=April 3, 2021}}</ref> Simmons suffered [[cerebral hypoxia]] as paramedics attempted to resuscitate him for 30 minutes.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shafer |first1=Ellise |last2=Aswad |first2=Jem|date=April 3, 2021|title=DMX Hospitalized After Suffering Heart Attack |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/dmx-drug-overdose-1234943647/|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404062045/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/dmx-drug-overdose-1234943647/ |archive-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Alter |first=Rebecca|date=April 3, 2021|title=DMX Remains On Life Support Following Overdose|work=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]] |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/04/dmx-is-in-critical-care-after-suffering-an-overdose.html|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404001849/https://www.vulture.com/2021/04/dmx-is-in-critical-care-after-suffering-an-overdose.html|archive-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=April 3, 2021|title=Prognosis 'Not Looking Good' after OD|work=[[TMZ]]|url=https://www.tmz.com/2021/04/03/dmx-suffers-od-overdose-hospital-grave-condition/|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404055001/https://www.tmz.com/2021/04/03/dmx-suffers-od-overdose-hospital-grave-condition/|archive-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref> The next day, his attorney Murray Richman confirmed Simmons was on life support.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Dave |last2=Landrum |first2=Jonathan Jr. |date=April 3, 2021 |title=Rapper DMX on life support after heart attack, lawyer says |url=https://apnews.com/article/new-york-white-plains-hip-hop-and-rap-music-dmx-9e2162cbbaae2ade1ef3131fbab55667 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404020827/https://apnews.com/article/new-york-white-plains-hip-hop-and-rap-music-dmx-9e2162cbbaae2ade1ef3131fbab55667 |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |work=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=April 3, 2021 |title=DMX on Life Support Following Heart Attack |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dmx-hospitalized-new-york-1150828/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404020743/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dmx-hospitalized-new-york-1150828/ |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |access-date=April 3, 2021 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hoell |first1=Rob |last2=Cook |first2=Lauren |last3=Pittman |first3=Ava |last4=Lepore |first4=Stephen M. |date=April 3, 2021 |title=DMX hospitalized after heart attack amid reports of overdose: lawyer |url=https://pix11.com/entertainment/dmx-hospitalized-after-drug-overdose-heart-attack-reports/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404024725/https://pix11.com/entertainment/dmx-hospitalized-after-drug-overdose-heart-attack-reports/ |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |access-date=April 4, 2021 |publisher=[[WPIX]]}}</ref> Simmons's former manager, Nakia Walker, said he was in a "vegetative state" with "lung and brain failure and no current brain activity".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jiménez |first=Jesus|date=April 4, 2021|title=DMX on Life Support in 'Vegetative State,' Manager Says|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/04/arts/dmx-hospitalized.html|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404211503/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/04/arts/dmx-hospitalized.html|archive-date=April 4, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dahir|first=Ikran|date=April 4, 2021|title=DMX Has Been Hospitalized And Is Unresponsive, His Former Manager Says|work=[[BuzzFeed News]]|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ikrd/dmx-hospital-unresponsive-life-support|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405000914/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ikrd/dmx-hospital-unresponsive-life-support|archive-date=April 5, 2021}}</ref> His manager, [[SRC Records|SRC]] and [[Loud Records]] founder [[Steve Rifkind]], stated Simmons was [[coma]]tose and that he was set to undergo tests to determine his brain's functionality and his family will "determine what's best from there".<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Burke| first1=Minyvonne|last2=Dasrath |first2=Diana|date=April 7, 2021|title=DMX Remains in Coma, Will Undergo Brain Function Tests: Manager|publisher=[[NBC News]]|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/doctors-perform-brain-function-tests-rapper-dmx-remains-life-support-n1263294|url-status=live|access-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407161853/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/doctors-perform-brain-function-tests-rapper-dmx-remains-life-support-n1263294|archive-date=April 7, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cramer|first=Maria |date=April 7, 2021|title=DMX, in a Coma, Is Set to Undergo Brain Function Tests |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/arts/music/dmx-life-support.html|url-status=live |url-access=limited|access-date=April 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407191633/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/arts/music/dmx-life-support.html|archive-date=April 7, 2021}}</ref>

On the morning of April 9, 2021, Simmons lost functionality in multiple essential organs, reportedly his liver, kidneys, and lungs,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2021/04/09/dmx-organ-failure-life-support/|title=DMX's Organs Failing, Family Says He's In His Final Hours|website=TMZ|date=April 9, 2021 |access-date=April 14, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516032204/https://www.tmz.com/2021/04/09/dmx-organ-failure-life-support/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was pronounced dead shortly after, at age 50. It was revealed on July 8 by the Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office that Simmons's official cause of death was a heart attack.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/dmx-dead/|title=DMX Dead at 50|first=C. Vernon II|last=Coleman|magazine=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|date=April 9, 2021|access-date=April 9, 2021|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411202523/https://www.xxlmag.com/dmx-dead/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/07/dmx-cause-of-death.html |date=July 8, 2021 |title=DMX's Official Cause of Death Revealed |first=Victoria |last=Bekiempis |work=[[Vulture.com]] |access-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006095011/https://www.vulture.com/2021/07/dmx-cause-of-death.html |url-status=live }}</ref>