‘No one could hype me like DMX can’: MMA fighters pay tribute to rap legend after his death

Hip-hop legend DMX, who rose to stardom in the 1990s and 2000s, died Friday one week after suffering a heart attack. He was 50.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was rushed to a hospital April 2 in White Plains, New York. TMZ originally reported that the rapper suffered a drug overdose, but on April 3 his lawyer, Murray Richman, told The Associated Press he could not confirm if that was the cause of the heart attack. DMX spent the past week on life support until he died Friday.

DMX first made a splash with his music in 1998, releasing his first studio album “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot,” which included the hits “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem,” Get At Me Dog” and “Stop Being Greedy.” “Party Up (Up In Here)” (2000), “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” (2003), and “Where the Hood At?” (2003) also are among his biggest hits.

DMX’s music has been a popular choice for walkout music among MMA fighters through the years, including UFC featherweight contender Brian Ortega who regularly walked out to “X Gon’ Give It to Ya.”

In the wake of DMX’s death, social media tributes poured in from MMA fighters such as Anderson Silva, Mike Perry, Belal Muhammad, and more. You can see a sampling below.

Anderson Silva

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNdXClKgEJR/?igshid=ro02g6mxvvxb

Mike Perry

https://twitter.com/PlatinumPerry/status/1380592174388088835

Belal Muhammad

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNdCG-ah7Tm/

Frank Mir

https://twitter.com/thefrankmir/status/1380615483523624960

Derek Brunson

https://twitter.com/DerekBrunson/status/1380580641125904386

Roy Nelson

https://twitter.com/roynelsonmma/status/1380610148683616259

Eryk Anders

https://twitter.com/erykanders/status/1380569864868392961

Mike Jackson

https://twitter.com/TheTruthJackson/status/1380614382204424192

Jimi Manuwa

https://twitter.com/POSTERBOYJM/status/1380589712939737090

Tyler Diamond

https://twitter.com/TylerD1amond/status/1380618972576550918

1

1