DMX In 'Vegetative State' After Heart Attack, Ex-Manager Says; Rapper's Family Asks For Prayers

DMX's family is asking for prayers as he continues to battle for his life.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, is "facing serious health issues" after suffering a heart attack Friday night, his family said in a statement to People. He has been admitted to White Plains Hospital in New York.

"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," his family said.

The Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation held a prayer vigil outside the hospital Monday.

DMX's former manager, Nakia Walker, told the New York Times Sunday that the rapper is currently in a "vegetative state" and that they are "just praying."

His ex-manager also told Buzzfeed News that DMX is "still in the same condition — in a vegetative state, [with] lung and brain failure and no brain activity."

DMX's lawyer, Murray Richman, described the "Where the Hood At?" artist as "an amazing person" who "lit up the room." DMX is someone who couldn't help making others "feel good in his presence," Richman told New York Times.

The attorney went on to say that the rapper has lived a "difficult life," adding, "He expressed the pain and suffering in a very unique way. He truly is reflective of a whole segment of our society whose pain and suffering go unrecorded."

Richman previously told NBC News that DMX was admitted to the ICU after a heart attack and had to be resuscitated and put on life support.

TMZ reported that DMX allegedly had a drug overdose, which triggered the heart attack. However, his attorney couldn't confirm what caused the heart attack.

In an interview with Billboard last year, DMX said his addiction started when he was just 14 years old. His mentor gave him a blunt laced with crack cocaine, and he smoked it without full knowledge of what was in it, which had made him feel deceived.

"Why would you do that to a child? He was like 30 and he knew I looked up to him," the rapper said. "Why would you do that to someone who looks up to you?"

"You never know when the things you stored away are going to come out and just fall all over the place. Let me open this door and start dealing with this shit right now before it comes out at the wrong time and I just have a meltdown… that’s what’s helped with addiction and sobriety."

In 2019, DMX canceled his concerts to return to rehab. He apologized to his fans for the canceled shows and explained that he was putting his family and sobriety first, Rolling Stone reported.