The family of DMX (real name Earl Simmons) set the record straight about the alleged sale of the late rapper’s master recordings and his upcoming funeral in a new statement.
“There have been a few rumors following our loved one, Earl Simmons’, passing that we’d like to clear up,” his family said in a statement provided to Billboard. “No one has bought Earl’s masters. Additionally, we are not selling any merch or raising money for Earl’s funeral. If anyone is requesting for money for his funeral please be aware the person is a scammer. We will keep the public posted on funeral/memorial service arrangements.”
The most popular rumor around DMX’s catalog alleged that Beyoncé and Jay-Z had purchased X’s master recordings for $10 million with plans to return his masters to his 17 children — though DMX only has 15 children. Swizz Beatz also shot down the rumor on social media: “Not true king,” Swizz wrote alongside the false article on Instagram.
It’s unclear who currently owns DMX’s master recordings, but the bulk of his commercial success came on Def Jam, where he made his major-label debut in 1998 with It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and stayed through 2003’s Grand Champ.
DMX (real name Earl Simmons) died Friday after suffering a heart attack triggered by a drug overdose. He was 50. The rapper had been on life support and was in a “vegetative state,” according to his former manager Nakia Walker, since last Sunday.
His family and friends organized a prayer vigil on April 5 outside of White Plains Hospital, where X remained on life support before he died. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano told TMZ that he would be willing to offer Yonkers Raceway, the city’s largest outdoor venue, for his family to host a public hometown memorial.
