Hundreds of people have shown up to celebrate rap icon DMX outside of a White Plains, New York hospital where he is recovering from a heart attack, according to Fox 5.
The Ruff Ryders Biker Club held a massive vigil for DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, on Sunday, riding around White Plains Hospital and playing his greatest hits.
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@ruffryders roll in to White Plains Hospital to pay tribute to @dmx & offer their prayers & suppprt ???? #hot97
@HOT97
#fox5ny
@fox5ny
pic.twitter.com/LwgeB8cZ9n— LISA EVERS (@LisaEvers) April 4, 2021
According to the club's website, Ruff Ryders Lifestyles is heavily involved in the community partnering with the Red Cross, Toys for Tots, homeless shelters and local Boys & Girls Clubs.
Fans on social media shared videos and photos from the event on Sunday.
????????????????????????❤️❤️???????? #DMX #LOVE #PrayforDMX #PrayersupforDMX #RUFFRYDERS pic.twitter.com/6r8KrVwu5U
— Simenti_Irin_Si_Dide_4.2 (@SimentiIrin_42) April 4, 2021
Simmons was put on life support on Sunday and his former manager Nakia Walker told The New York Times that he was in a vegetative state after the heart attack, which occurred on Friday at his home in White Plains.
“On Friday night, April 2nd, 2021, our brother, son, father, and colleague DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, was admitted to White Plains (NY) Hospital, facing serious health issues. We ask that you please keep Earl/DMX and us in your thoughts, wishes, and prayers as well as respect our privacy as we face these challenges. Thank you,” DMX’s family said in a statement to ET.
The Simmons family and the Ruff Ryders To The Rescue Foundation held another event for the rapper on Monday.
According to TMZ, the event was attended by Desiree, his fiancée, his ex-wife Tashera Simmons, two of his children and Yadira Borrego, the mother of some of his children. All came together to hold their arms in Simmons' signature "X."
"It was beautiful to see that through music and speech, so many united in order to send prayers up for DMX’s healing. Praying that he remains here with us longer, the energy was magnetic and spoke loudly. It was crystal clear that DMX meant a lot to everyone there. He was the epitome of overcoming struggle time and time again," Magi Camaj, who attended the event, wrote in an op-ed for Revolt.
"He battled demons for so long and yet still found a way to pull through. And his struggles helped many. One thing is for certain: This New York legend will live on forever no matter what the outcome is. We’re continuing to pray for the best. Ruff Ryders and DMX for life," Camaj added.
ET reported that paramedics tried to revive the 50-year-old three separate times over a 30-minute time span and that his family is concerned for his future.
A family source also told the news outlet that Simmons had previously contracted COVID-19 and had struggled with a relapse of his drug addiction.
"This is a very difficult time for the family. They are standing by his bedside, holding his hand and praying. They are really in prayer mode," the source said.
"He is in a medical state from which I don’t think he will recover," family representative Angelo Ellerbee later said.
Walker also spoke with BuzzFeed and said he was "still in the same condition — in a vegetative state, [with] lung and brain failure and no brain activity."
"We just stay hopeful. It’s devastating, for sure…it’s really hard. Keep the positive energy, keep praying for X, keep playing his music, stay encouraged," she added.