He was both the last great, raw ‘90s rapper, and a harbinger of the harmonic pop sensibilities that would dominate the next generation.

Born Earl Simmons, the New York-based rapper and actor was hospitalized after having a heart attack following a drug overdose.

The gruff-voiced MC died Friday, nearly a week after suffering multiple heart attacks resulting from an apparent drug overdose.

Earl Simmons, the man known to the world as Dark Man X, has passed away at the age of 50. DMX, who was best known for hits like " Party Up" and " X Gon' Give It To Ya" and film roles in Belly and Romeo Must Die, died after an apparent relapse, overdose, and heart attack on April 2 that sent him to the hospital and prompted a wave of supportive posts on social media.

I saw it firsthand.

DMX, 50, suffered from abuse, abandonment and addiction throughout his childhood. As the "Ruff Ryder's Anthem" singer fights for his life following a heart attack, the truth behind his troubled past with an abusive mother and his harrowing introduction to drugs at the hands of a once-trusted mentor comes to light.

It's been twenty years since DMX's debut record-one that established one of hip-hop's most aggressive, honest, and bark-iest rappers. Here's how it came to be.

With the success of his debut album, ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,’ everybody in New York knows the rapper.

The rapper's hit albums, controversial lyrics, run-ins with the law and a quest for meaning fuel comparisons to the late Tupac Shakur.

DMX’s second album solidified his place in rap history. This is the extraordinary account of how it all came together.

The rapper could have faced hostility at the overheated, febrile festival but capitalised on one of rap’s biggest ever audiences with a show of awesome power.

“How’s It Goin’ Down” is beautiful, pensive and painfully realistic.

It's nearly midnight, and Manhattan's Hit Factory recording studio is teeming with nervous life as DMX races to complete "...And Then There Was X," which his label wants in just three weeks. The environment is not exactly conducive to getting anything done.

His tales of hell on earth come from his own harrowing past.

The photographer Matt Salacuse recounts an impromptu day spent with the rapper in 2008 that showcased both his charm and his demons.

Looking at rapper DMX's life is like watching someone punch himself in the face repeatedly. One can easily picture a cherubic angel sitting atop one of the big black guy's shoulders, telling him not to snort that line of coke or skip that appointment with his probation officer. But, on the other shoulder, he's got a horned red devil prodding him with a pitchfork.

In this clip from next week's "People's Party with Talib Kweli," legendary rapper and songwriter DMX gets raw about getting tricked into smoking crack at age 14 by his rap mentor, Ready Ron. While speaking, DMX allows himself to be completely vulnerable -- and the conversation widens to discuss the importance of emotional honesty, particularly amongst young, Black men. It's a clip full of pathos, pain, and even humor.

In the aftermath of a childhood filled with neglect, the late rap legend became an anxious servant of the Lord.

DMX's life and career have been a roller coaster of highs and lows. Now, after a year in prison, he's out and ready to start living again.

We always rooted for Earl Simmons -- but seeing his joy as he turns 50 has helped us find our own

Drink Champs alumni DMX shares classic stories about touring, acting and his legendary music catalog. X also talks about Prince, his VERZUZ battle with Snoop Dogg, and falling in and out of love with hip hop.

Yonkers rapper, who has died at age 50, combined raw charisma with hit-making savvy for a catalog that changed the sound of hip-hop.

New York rapper DMX achieved rap superstardom with iconic albums such as "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" and "...And Then There Was X." But the influential artist, who died on April 9 at 50 years old, was also known for his film roles in "Romeo Must Die," "Exit Wounds," "Belly" and "Cradle 2 the Grave."

X’s star turn in the Hype Williams cult classic showed he had full command of glossy aesthetics just as much as the grimy.

From ‘Belly’ to his early demos to his near-riot-inducing song intros, here’s a glimpse into what made Earl Simmons a singular talent.

Eddie Huang remembers DMX’s irresistible cameo on "Fresh Off the Boat," and the man who unexpectedly nurtured a generation.

The rap star dominated music for a five-year stretch and his unmistakable growl became synonymous with New York's grit and grime. He died on Friday (Apr. 9) at 50.

Earl Simmons channelled his pain into his art - and forever changed the world along the way.

The New York MC made us feel his pain, and it made him a superstar.

DMX's vulnerability showed my generation a new way of understanding the world we would soon enter.

Nobody sounded like X. If he wasn't your favorite rapper then he was better than your favorite. He rapped in a way no one else could. He didn't ride beats so much as drive them, and when they didn't suit him he rolled right over them.

Everyone is familiar with hit DMX songs like "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "Party (Up in Here)." But DMX also made amazing albums. Here are the 15 best DMX deep cuts.

A few thoughts on the rapper’s titanic legacy, his real-life pain, and the gulf between the two.

DMX could be hard and vulnerable. He could be reverent and violent. To him, there was no contradiction in these tendencies. DMX presented himself as someone who had been through some of the darkest things the world could offer, and who was still going through these things. DMX had not come up from struggle. He *was* the struggle. 

DMX’s passing has unearthed a treasure trove of testimonials, random interactions, and anecdotes that prove he was “The Bill Murray of hip-hop.”

Touré writes about his personal moments with Earl Simmons, remembering DMX’s legendary career and what not to do when riding in his Escalade.

Reflecting on the faith of DMX.

The tormented, once chart-topping rapper’s legacy goes beyond his words.

He defied expectations during an era when the public and media weren’t kind to his struggles with drug addiction.