DMX’s final words before his death: “He was never afraid of passing on”
DMX passed away in 2021, leaving behind an incredible legacy. Classic albums It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood and …And Then There Was X all topped the Billboard 200, while songs like ‘X Gon’ Give It to Ya’, ‘Party Up’, ‘Ruff Ryders Anthem’ and ‘Where the Hood At’ put him on the map.
The Yonkers rapper died of a heart attack at the age of 50 after losing functionality in his liver, kidneys and lungs. Tashera Simmons, who was married to DMX from 1999 to 2014 and shares four sons, revealed his final words to her.
“I am torn. Our children are suffering and trying to get to over that ‘not enough time with their dad’ thing; it’s a tough time,” she said on the People Every Day podcast. “At the same time, I used to think that this was insensitive to say, but I do believe he is in a better place, just because of the words he left me with. He was never afraid of passing on. And I used to be aggravated with that, but now I understand.”
DMX’s family released a statement following his death, detailing the final days of his life and how he fought until his passing. “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.
“Earl was a warrior who fought til’ the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever.”
DMX took part in his final interview just weeks before his death. During the conversation with TV One, he reflected on his illustrious career while stating he had no regrets. “I always feel like I’m gonna look back on my life just before I go and thank God for every moment, for every single moment,” he said. “It’s the moments, like drops in the ocean. They come together. You see the beauty of who you are and why you are.”
He also touched on rebuilding his relationship with his mother, who he said had physically abused him when he was a kid. DMX opened up about her surprising him during a therapy session, which made him break down into tears. “She walked in the door and I think that point right there, I just let everything go,” he said. “She’s crying I’m crying. It was like… I don’t know. It wasn’t a hurt cry. It was like, ‘Yes, this is what I need.'”
Speaking on the final interview, Simmons said, “I didn’t know that it was filmed. When they called me, I didn’t realise that this was the last interview that he’d done. And the things that he talked about in it were so powerful to them, stories that he spoke about of myself and him that I didn’t even remember, really, until… They literally had to replay it.”