DMX still alive and on life support, says manager amid death rumours

Steve Rifkind, manager of DMX, has denied rumours that the hospitalised US rapper passed away.

DMX, 50, was earlier reported to be on life support after suffering a heart attack following a drug overdose.

Family members and supporters of the ailing hip hop star had thereafter staged a prayer vigil outside White Plains Hospital in New York where he is being treated after the rapper was said to have remained unresponsive.

As death rumours began to spread about the rapper, Rifkind took to his Instagram page to put out a monologue stating that DMX is still undergoing treatment.

He noted that the family will give a statement on the status of DMX’s health soon.

“Everybody, please stop posting these rumours. DMX is still alive. Yes, he is on life support, but please, it’s not helping anybody by having them see these false rumours. Let the family relax for a night,” Rifkind wrote.

DMX has spoken openly about his cocaine addiction which began at age 14 after he smoked a marijuana cigarette laced with the drug. The rapper, who has severally undergone rehab, also claimed he was battling bipolar disorder.

In February 2016, he was found unresponsive in a Ramada Inn parking lot in Yonkers. He was resuscitated by first responders and given Narcan before being rushed to the hospital.

A witness said he ingested some substance before collapsing, but police found no illegal substances on the property. DMX’s last rehab stint was in 2019 after he completed a 12-month sentence for tax evasion.