DMX Net Worth: Millions in Debt Before Death—What Did He Leave Behind?

Earn Simmons, professionally known as DMX, was an American actor and rapper. He was among the most prolific rappers of the 1990s, known for his aggressive rapping style and emotionally charged lyrics.

DMX rose to fame with the release of his debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot” (1998). The album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 and became certified 4x Platinum in the United States.

His follow-up albums, “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood” (1998) and “…And Then There Was X,” enjoyed similar success, both peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earning multiple awards and Grammy nominations.

On April 9, 2021, DMX passed away due to a cocaine-induced heart attack at only 50 years old. Before that, he had been performing live shows, reconnecting with fans, and working on new music.

Given his fame and impressive 20+ year career in the music industry, which includes four Grammy Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and an American Music Award, it’s easy to assume that DMX has earned a sizable fortune from his career. Surprisingly, that’s not the case.

This article discusses everything you need to know about DMX’s net worth, including the financial and legal struggles that overshadowed his commercial success.

What Is DMX’s Net Worth? 

At the time of his passing on April 9, 2021, DMX’s net worth is believed to be negative $1 million.

Fans are understandably surprised by this revelation, considering that DMX has sold over 74 million records worldwide. That’s about the same record sales achieved by artists like Justin Bieber, Coldplay, and Imagine Dragons.

DMX

Image source: Pinterest

Unfortunately, commercial success can only bring in so much fame and power. DMX had more than 30 run-ins with law enforcement and had been arrested for dozens of crimes. These include:

• Drug possession
• Reckless driving
• Robbery
• Animal cruelty
• Falsification of identity
• Tax evasion and tax fraud
• Weapon charges
• Probation violations
• Failure to pay child support
• Car jacking
• Assault

DMX has been in and out of jail for years. His longest and most high-profile sentence was in 2017 due to tax fraud, after concealing millions in income to avoid paying $1.7 million in taxes. He was sentenced to one year in federal prison and was released in January 2019.

What Happened to DMX’s Money? 

By all accounts, DMX had all the makings of a multi-millionaire. And, indeed, before all the legal troubles and creditor debt, reports state that DMX had, at one point, a net worth of $10 million.

DMX had sold over 73 million albums, and he became the first artist to have their first five albums consecutively debut at the top of the US Billboard 200. He was widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time, and his songs continue to resonate with listeners across the world.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that DMX brought in no less than $100 million in revenue to his record label, Def Jam. But since record labels in the late 1990s and early 2000s paid their artists less than 15% of album sales, DMX earned only a fraction of the money he helped generate.

And though 15% is hardly a small amount, DMX’s financial troubles—compounded by years of legal fees, back taxes, child support obligations, and struggles with addiction—quickly eroded all his earnings, leaving him with little to show for decades of success.

Child Support 

DMX fathered 15 children with nine different women, many of whom he had to pay child support to. Whether due to financial issues or something else, DMX failed to pay child support.

Patria Trejo sued DMX for over $1 million in unpaid child support in 2012, with the case settling in 2013.

Meanwhile, Teshera Simmons, his ex-wife and the mother of his four children, reported DMX for being $400,000 behind on child support payments in 2014, leading to a six-month jail sentence.

DMX and his ex-wife Teshera Simmons

Image source: Google

After serving his time, he was arrested again for failing to make monthly payments of $10,000, as ordered by the court.

Tax Fraud 

In 2017, DMX was arrested for failing to pay taxes on income earned from 2002 to 2005 and from 2010 to 2015, in an attempt to avoid $1.7 million in tax liabilities. DMX pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to one year in prison and $2.29 million in restitution.

Credit Debt 

DMX filed for bankruptcy in a Manhattan court in July 2013. In the document, DMX claimed to have somewhere between $1 million and $10 million in debt, details of which were kept private from the public.

DMX’s lawyer stated that the rapper’s debts prevented him from touring overseas, where the majority of his fans live. DMX hoped to restructure his debts so he’d be able to perform again and use the money he earned to pay back his debts. The filing was challenged and eventually dismissed later that year.

What DMX Left Behind

DMX died with millions of dollars in debt. Therefore, the court looked into seizing his remaining property. The value of his estate showed mixed estimates; some as low as $50,000, others under $1 million.

His music catalogue, however, was reportedly quite valuable. Master recording and publishing royalties are believed to be worth approximately $17.7 million and could even grow in value long after his death.

DMX’s family problems didn’t end after child support payments, either. DMX died without leaving a will, sparking a legal battle that’s still ongoing to this day.

Five of DMX’s grown children tried to become estate administrators after his funeral, and Desiree Lindstrom, who had a 5-year-old son with the rapper, tried to file for common-law wife.

Ultimately, the court handed DMX’s music rights to DMX’s ex-wife, Tashera.