DMX, rapper and actor, dies at 50

Rapper DMX dies at 50

DMX, one of the most popular and successful rappers to emerge in the 1990s, died on Friday. He was 50. The Grammy-nominated performer died after suffering “catastrophic cardiac arrest,” according to a statement from the hospital in White Plains, New York, where he died.

DMX (Dark Man X) began rapping in the early 1990s and released his debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” in 1998. With the deaths of fellow rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur before he burst on the scene, DMX became one of the reigning stars of hardcore hip hop and was the premier artist signed to the Ruffhouse Records label. His single, “Ruff Ryders Anthem,” helped to seal his critical and commercial success. The rapper released several albums over the years, including one of his most commercially successful, “…And Then There Was X,” that was released in 1999 and was nominated for a Grammy in the best rap album category. He pleaded guilty to tax fraud in 2017 and was sentenced to one year in prison. More recently, DMX thrilled fans last year when he appeared in a Verzuz battle with fellow artist Snoop Dogg.