Despite being a platinum-selling artist who sold 74 million records worldwide, DMX left behind an estate worth less than $1 million.
The revelation comes as five of the late rapper’s 15 children work to gain access to his estate. Court papers show the “Party Up” emcee’s estate might have been worth less than $50,000, The New York Daily News reported.
The Ruff Ryders frontman, who died April 9 at age 50 following a massive heart attack, appears to have left behind assets in the forms of music rather than dollars and cents. The documents were filed in Westchester County on May 10 from DMX’s daughters Sasha Simmons and Jada Oden. Separate court papers dated May 21 were filed on behalf of his sons Xavier, Tacoma, and Sean Simmons.
Both sets of children are seeking to become administrators of the rap star’s estate. The sisters identified DMX’s estate at $50,000 while his three sons listed it as under $1 million. The rapper’s other 10 children have yet to file paperwork in court, Radar Online reported.
If a deal is made, there could be a battle between his 15 children over the rapper’s trademarks, royalties, and music catalog. The rights to his music are estimated to add millions to DMX’s estate over the next couple of years. His songs skyrocketed to the top of the streaming charts following his death.
The news comes after the rapper dominated the hip-hop scene in the late ’90s and early 2000s. According to Daily Rap Facts, DMX was the first rapper to have his first five albums debut at number-one as well as releasing two number-one albums in the same year, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood.
Following his death, his family released a statement and asked for privacy ahead of the funeral arrangements. ”
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,” the statement read.