In the news|April 29, 2021 02:55 EDT
Kanye West raises $1M for DMX's family and memorial ceremony stage design; Sunday Service Choir performs
Rapper and producer Kanye West raised over $1 million to support the family of the recently deceased rapper DMX. Despite recent drama over the Kardashian-West divorce, the owner of Adidas Yeezy re-emerged to help out DMX and his family. Legally named Earl Simmons, DMX is a fellow rapper and Christian brother, who died earlier this month due to a "catastrophic cardiac arrest," reported White Plains Hospital. DMX was survived by 15 children and he died peacefully with family by his side.
West commissioned a charity shirt designed by Balenciaga for Yeezy in loving remembrance of the deceased rapper and emcee. The shirt is adorned with white crosses and features the text in the back, "In Loving Memory." The fashion tribute to the late artist Earl Simmons is priced at $200 and is completely sold out.
All the proceeds from shirt sales were given to DMX's family, as expected by Blenciaga, reported TMZ .
West is also reported responsible for planning the exclusive memorial at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Fans at the ceremony heard tributes from DMX's children, as the "Slippin" rapper was laid in a red casket. Large black letters, "FAITH," was written atop. West's Sunday Service Choir also performed among the performers at the memorial.
"I discovered that Earl 'DMX' Simmons had a gift," said pastor of the ceremony, A. R. Bernard to those in attendance, according to The New York Post. "And I don't say that lightly. I saw videos where thousands of people - white folks - cheering and screaming at this man. And it was something special. He had a gift."
The hip-hop recording artist has not had the greatest public impression, ranging from a drug overdose to various arrests. But in a recent appearance online, he said tragedy brought him closer to God. DMX spent the past few years sharing the Gospel on his mainstream platforms while trying to stay sober. In April 2020, he led thousands of his followers in a Bible study in hopes of calming the anxiety brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns.
Watch Earl "DMX" Simmons' memorial here, held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.
