DMX

This Saturday will mark a week since DMX was admitted into a White Plains hospital after a reported drug overdose that resulted in a heart attack. Unfortunately since his hospitalization, the rapper’s family and friends have not been given the peace of mind to spend uninterrupted time with DMX as they’ve been forced to deny and clarify multiple reports on his condition. On Thursday night, they were forced to do this once again as social media reports announced that the rapper passed away at the age of 50. Many of the posts were deleted minutes after they were shared, but it was far too late as the initial news traveled far and fast in a short time.

As a result, the rapper’s manager, Steve Rifikind, who is also the co-founder of Loud Records, took to Instagram to deny the reports about DMX’s death and beg that people stop spreading rumors about the rapper’s condition. “Everybody please stop with posting these rumors, DMX is still alive,” he said in a video posted to his Instagram page. “Yes, he is on life support, but please, it’s not helping anybody by having them see these false rumors. Let the family relax for a night, you will be hearing a statement from the family some time tomorrow. I’ve been with DMX for the past three years, so the only thing I ask is just stop with the rumors. He is still alive and he is on life support. Thank you.”

The false reports came from a number of accounts. One example was from actress Luenell who shared a pair of posts to her Instagram posts, both of which are now-deleted. The first said, “It is over my friend is gone (sad face emoji)… Soar w/ the (dove emoji)… Join the best that ever did it… RIP… DMX.” The second, which seem to clarify the previous post, said, “When your spirit leaves and your organs fail you. The body becomes just a shell. One becomes wrapped in the Lords arms. That what “I” call gone. Im sorry to all. #DMX.” Fashion account @saint also shared a tweet, writing, “BREAKING: DMX has passed away at the age of 50.” That post was also deleted.

You can watch the video from DMX’s manager above.

As DMX remains in the hospital in critical condition after suffering a heart attack, TMZ reports the rap icon will require a battery of tests to determine his family’s next steps. According to DMX’s manager Steve Rifkind, doctors will perform the tests today to determine DMX’s brain activity level. On Friday, after his initial overdose and heart attack, doctors say his brain was deprived of oxygen for nearly 30 minutes, which left him with little brain activity and he’s currently in a coma. After the tests, DMX’s family will need to decide whether to keep him on life support in hopes of recovery.

DMX was initially hospitalized in White Plains, New York after his apparent drug overdose on Friday (April 3), which triggered a heart attack. Although false reports were circulated that he was recovering, his family and Rifkind issued a statement hoping to curtail misinformation that might complicate his treatment. The news of his hospitalization prompted a massive response from fans and peers on social media, which saw waves of tweets declaring support for the rapper and dismay over his condition.

DMX’s struggles with addiction have been well-documented, both by the press and in his music, and his vulnerability with regard to his mental health has been credited as one reason his music resonates so strongly with so many people. Before his relapse, he was reportedly working on a new album and enjoying renewed interest after his matchup with Snoop Dogg on Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s popular Verzuz web show.