On April 5, DJ Funkmaster Flex spoke to Page Six about DMX.
The turntable whiz expressed his concern that the music industry’s money-first nature is partly to blame for the unfortunate events that have occurred.
“I don’t wanna say people don’t help you, but I do want to say there are people who actually know,” the HOT 97 DJ told PageSix.
“You don’t always get the best help when money is being made,” he continued.
Funkmaster Flex, visibly frustrated, asked if any of the people who have posted pictures and offered social media thoughts and prayers would visit Simmons when he’s better and offer advice or help him financially.
The rapper, whose name is Earl Simmons, suffered a heart attack last Friday brought on by a drug overdose, TMZ reported. He has a troubled history rife with childhood abuse, alcoholism and drug use. Despite prior efforts to break free of his addictions, it all reached a sad climax last weekend.
Simmons has been open about his history of childhood abuse. He lost two teeth as a child when he accidentally erased something from his mother’s notebook, and she beat him with a broom.
In November, the rapper told colleague Talib Kweli that his then-mentor secretly gave him crack at the age of 14. That was his introduction to drugs.
In 2019, DMX said in an interview with GQ that his first arrest was at the age of 10 for arson and assault but that he found that jail could be a place of “solace.” In 1986, he was sentenced to prison for stealing a dog. He also racked up multiple drug possession and animal cruelty charges throughout his career.
In 2016, the rapper overdosed in New York but could be revived by a medic who injected him with Narcan, an opioid reversal medication.
Over the years, he tried to get help. In 2013, he met with popular life coach Iyanla Vanzant. That episode was explosive and, due to his inability to control his rage, ended with him telling the hostess to suck his male part.
By 2019, Simmons was asking for a do-over with her. In Oct. 2019, the rapper checked himself into rehab.
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Arguably, Funkmaster Flex is justified in his consternation, as this is not the first time someone in the music business has fallen victim to severe drug addiction that went largely unchecked by those closest to them.
Addiction is a war that often involves many lost battles before the victory. The rapper has many loyal fans keeping vigil near the hospital where he is being treated. DMX’s family is currently asking admirers to keep him in their thoughts as they pray for his recovery.
