In the capitalistic world that we live in, it's all too easy to get attached to material things. And whilst you'd think this would ring most true for those who live on the poverty line, it's apparent that the same applies to the top one per cent, who earn mind-boggling amounts of money. Certainly, throughout the years we have heard story after story about some household name or the other who has ventured into criminal territory simply to hold onto their riches. The latest victim of this is none other than the rapper DMX. While we know him for providing us with some of the biggest party anthems of the Noughties, it appears that the authorities are aware of him for a completely different reason. Earl Simmons, who goes by the moniker DMX, was arrested last summer on the charge. And the IRS had purportedly been following the hip-hop singer and actor since at least 2005, when the revenue service began to suspect that he had evaded paying taxes on the income that he had amassed from 2002 to 2005, as his records continued to sell in their millions. However, no-one was aware of the scope of his crime, which currently comes to an eye-watering $1.7 million. Yes, the X Gon' Give It To Ya singer is facing five years in prison for dodging $1.7 million in taxes. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BcCEDTihOHM/?taken-by=dmx]] The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to tax fraud on Thursday, admitting that he had concealed millions of dollars of income in order to evade paying $1.7 million in taxes. Judge Jed Rankoff has set the sentencing for the 29th March at Manhattan federal court, although this date is likely to be postponed as DMX is currently in rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction. In a press statement, acting US attorney Joon Kim asserted that the rapper evaded the IRS by insisting on being paid in cash whenever possible, and by having his royalty payouts diverted into his managers' bank accounts. This practice continued during 2010 through to 2015, when he also failed to file tax returns. As such, he stated that DMX was "systematically cheating on his taxes". [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BY-X85ABFFI/?taken-by=dmx]]

"No matter who you are or whatever fame you may have achieved, the law applies equally to all, and no one is exempt from the shared obligation to pay our taxes," Kim added.

Prosecutors alleged that the rapper deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars in royalty income into the bank accounts of his managers and friends, who in turn provided him with cash. The also said that when starring in the television show Celebrity Couples Therapy throughout 2011 and 2012, DMX refused to show up until producers agreed to hand over the $125,000 he was owed without withholding taxes. Further, they added that the singer filed a false affidavit in U.S Bankruptcy Court after listing his income as "unknown" for 2011 and 2012, and as $10,000 in 2013, even though he continued to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue throughout that period of. [[instagramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/BWjaohEBhvN/?taken-by=dmx]]

A DMX fan has revealed how the rapper helped her forgive her father for his addiction battle.

Twitter user @sheeeluhhh took to the social networking website to explain how DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, helped her to forgive her late father during a chance encounter.

"We met in 2017 after I heard him from my room in the hallway of my hotel. It was all divine intervention. I ran to the hallway & met him. We spoke for 15 mins," she said.

"Sometimes in the moment you don't understand the significance of a moment until it's passed. To this day, I credit X for helping me learn forgiveness. I am praying that he gives himself grace - in this lifetime and beyond. His words and impact have left a deep legacy," she added.

While the Twitter user did not reveal exactly what the rapper said to her, his words had such a profound effect that she believes a higher power was at work during their conversation.

"God used him & his words as a vessel in this lifetime - words that will outlive his earthly existence. Prayers & light to his children and family. May he rest in the power that many of us found in his words & art," she said.

Celebrities have also been paying tribute to the late rapper following his death at the age of 50.

DMX's two-time co-star Jet Li paid homage to him a tweet, writing: "Rest In Peace DMX, a true legend. It was truly my honor to work and get to know you."

Former NBA star and Lakers alum Shaquille O'Neal added: "We lost another Legend R.I.P DMX."

The rapper's death was announced by his family on Friday (April 9) following his admission to hospital on April 2 after suffering a drug-induced heart attack.

"Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time," his family said.

Grammy-nominated rapper DMX is said to be in a "grave condition" after being admitted to hospital after a heart attack.

Attorney Murray Richman said that the 50-year-old rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was admitted "in a grave condition" to a New York hospital on Friday (April 2).

Richman added that "a lot of people are gathering at the hospital" and that the rapper's first wife and a number of his 15 children are at his bedside.

He said in a video tweeted by New York's PIX11 News: "DMX is in the hospital presently, he's been in the hospital as the result of a heart attack."

Richman added: "It would be disingenuous of me to suggest that I'm not a worried man at this particular point."

Credit: Alamy / ZUMA Press, Inc.

When questioned about whether or not the rapper had suffered the heart attack after an alleged overdose, the attorney replied: "I refuse to vouch for that because I have no personal knowledge."

Fans, musicians, and celebrities have taken to social media to wish the 50-year-old a speedy recovery.

Ice-T tweeted: "My Sincere love and prayers go out to my homie @DMX during this difficult time.. Pull through my dude."

Chance The Rapper added: "DMX prayed over me once and I could feel his anointing. I'm praying for his full recovery."

"Sending prayers to Dmx pull thru my brother," tweeted rapper Big Freedia.

During his two-decades-long career, DMX has released seven albums and received three Grammy nominations, Sky News reports.

The rapper's debut 1998 album, It's Dark And Hell Is Hot, shot to number one Billboard 200 chart, featuring a number of hits including 'Ruff Ryders' Anthem', 'Get At Me Dog' and 'Stop Being Greedy'.

The 50-year-old has also had a successful acting career, appearing in Belly, Romeo Must Die, Exit Wounds, and Cradle 2 The Grave as well as several other movies.

However, he has publically battled substance abuse over the years, and in 2019, he was forced to cancel a series of shows when he checked himself into rehab following a year-long jail sentence for tax fraud and evasion.

Featured image credit: Alamy / MediaPunch Inc

Stacey Dash has shared a video of herself breaking down in tears after finding out that rapper DMX had died more than a year ago, in April 2021, following a cocaine-induced heart attack.

In a video that the 55-year-old Clueless star shared to her TikTok account, she told her fans that she was "ashamed" that she had been until very recently unaware that DMX, whose real name was Earl Simmons, had passed away. She also spoke candidly about her own personal journey on the road to sobriety.

Dash captioned the post: "I was strolling through #tiktok and found a #DMX song that has saved me many times. Suddenly it says #RIP i know I am late, i did not know he passed away, he #OD I am heartbroken - he was such a great guy."

The actress concluded her caption with the following hashtags: "Devastated" "Stacey Dash" and "Sober".

Check out her emotional video below:

Dash said in the video: "I'm ashamed. I didn't know DMX died. I didn't know from a cocaine overdose."

She then paused in order to contain her devastation, before going on to say: "I am, today, six years and one month clean, and it breaks my heart. It breaks my heart that he lost to it. He lost. He lost to that demon.... Please, please don't lose."

DMX passed away on April 9, 2021, at the age of 50 in Westchester County, New York. He was taken to hospital a week before his passing after suffering drug overdose and heart attack.

Credit: Alamy / Media Punch

Following Simmon's death, his family paid tribute to the rap legend in a statement, per Pitchfork: "We are deeply saddened to announce today that our loved one, DMX, birth name of Earl Simmons, passed away at 50-years-old at White Plains Hospital with his family by his side after being placed on life support for the past few days.

"Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him. Earl’s music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever.

"We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle and the man the world knew as DMX. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalized."

Featured image credit: PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy

DMX’s manager is pleading with fans to "stop posting rumors" falsely claiming that the rapper has died.

The performer, whose real name is Earl Simmons, had a heart attack at his home last Friday (April 2).

Yesterday (April 9), Steven J. Rifkin, his manager, confirmed once and for all in a video posted to Instagram that the musician is still alive, but is currently on life support.

"Everybody, please stop with posting these rumors," Rifkind said in the short clip. "DMX is still alive. Yes, he is on life support, but please, it’s not helping anybody by having them see these false rumors."

Credit: Gennadiy Kravchenko / Alamy Stock Photo

The manager went on to ask that the fans "let the family relax for a night, you’ll be hearing a statement from the family sometime tomorrow."

Rifkin continued: "I've been with DMX for the past three years so the only thing I ask is stop with the rumors. He is still alive and he is on life support. Thank you."

The hashtag #RIPDMX was trending on Thursday night after comedian Luenell posted an RIP message in relation to the rapper on Instagram.

She then decided to delete the post, which she apologized for. Luenell explained that she considered someone to be "gone" when "your spirit leaves and your organs fail you".

Credit: Twitter

Rifkind had previously urged the public to stop spreading "inaccurate information" in connection with DMX – a father of 15 – calling it "not helpful and not productive".

According to TMZ, the artist has been at White Plains Hospital since Friday night after he had a drug overdose that went on to cause a heart attack. The Ruff Ryders MC had been deprived of oxygen for about half an hour as doctors tried to resuscitate him.

A number of sources told the entertainment outlet that he was left with "little brain activity".

The rapper has had a troubled history with drug addiction and had most recently checked into rehab in October 2019, per Page Six.

The outlet also states that DMX had revealed that his drug habit can be traced back to a time when he was "tricked" into smoking crack at the age of just 14.

Featured image credit: Gennadiy Kravchenko / Alamy Stock Photo