Famed rapper DMX has tragically died after being hospitalized for nearly a week.  April 9th now marks a date in music history where the musician, real name of Earl Simmons, will be remembered for timeless hip-hop anthems such as “X Non’ Give It To Ya” and “Party Up”.

The artist rose to fame in the 80s, often performing alongside other notable hip-hop acts such as LL Cool J and Ready Ron.  He continued to find success in his solo career during the late 90s and early 2000s with the release of many universal party tracks.  He brought high energy to his real-life performances and iconically ruled the crowd at Woodstock ’99.

Simmons endured a challenging upbringing, and was shaped into a role model for many as a result of the childhood trauma he faced.  He overcame addiction troubles and run ins with the law throughout adulthood, turning his life around for the better.

DMX is survived by 15 children, and his legacy in hip-hop will live on forever.