"PERISH IS NOT ALWAYS DYING." DMX

American rapper and actor Earl Simmons, NEW YORK (AP) known by the stage name DMX, the iconic hip-hop artist behind the songs "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "Party Up (Up in Here)" whose distinctively gruff voice and thoughtful messages in his rhymes made him one of rap's biggest stars, has died, according to a family statement Friday. He was 50, after suffering a heart attack during what media reports said was drug overdose.

You can't be a fan and not feel empathy for him in his journey. 

DMX - who rapped with a trademark raspy delivery that was often paired with growls, barks and "What!" as an ad-lib - built a multiplatinum career in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but he also struggled with drug addiction and legal problems that repeatedly put him behind bars.

His message of triumph over struggle, his search for the light out of darkness, his pursuit of truth and grace brought us closer to our own humanity,” his record label, Def Jam Recordings, said in a statement describing him as “nothing less than a giant.”

This is what DMX said his final thoughts would be in one of his last interviews a few weeks ago, February 2021

"If I was to drop dead right now, my last thought would be: I've lived a good life."

A uniquely gifted and successful rapper who gave us some of hip-hop's all-time great anthems.

I grew up listening to him, his words and stories got me through some difficult times as a kid and I'm so grateful for his wisdom and light. "I Miss You" particularly lifts me and I love singing to it a lot. Gone too soon but I hope hope on to a more peaceful place. Rest in peace DMX.