‘Long Live DMX’: Fans gather for the popular rappers memorial service

Thousands of people gathered around the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Saturday ahead of late rapper DMX’s memorial service. 

DMX passed away at the age of 50 on April 9. He was on life support for a week after suffering a heart attack, reported AFP.

Members of the Ruff Ryders motorcycle club and other fans of DMX formed a procession from Yonkers, New York to Brooklyn ending around Barclays Center before the memorial, reported the New York Times. 

Also Read: Fans salute the memory of rapper DMX following his death

Fans tweeted videos and pictures of DMX on his last ride.

Also Read: Top chartbusters from DMX, who revolutionised rap

A massive truck, which had “Long Live DMX” on written its side,  led the motorcycles procession. It held a coffin in its back decorated with the Ruff Ryders logo. 

Also Read: DMX, rapper who chronicled struggles of American street through his music

Joaquin Dean, co-founders of the Ruff Ryders music label along with DMX, said, “X wanted to be remembered for touching people all over the world, through his music, with his words. He didn’t have family but he found family through Ruff Ryders — and then he made a worldwide family and touched them with his music,” reported the New York Times. 

Fans blasted the rapper’s chartbusters on the roads and danced to his music. Some followers even set up lawn chairs to sit and watch the ceremony on the screens outside. 

Earlier, the announcement for the memorial services was made through DMX’s Instagram account. 

The announcement said that the “attendance to both the ‘Celebration of Life’ memorial and Home-Going Celebration will be restricted to close friends and family” because of the COVID-19 health pandemic. 

Also Read: Family, supporters hold vigil for hospitalised rapper DMX

Both the services will be live-streamed for fans to watch. 

DMX or Earl Simmon was best known for songs like “PartyUp”, “Dogs For Life” and “Money, Power and Respect” among other hits.