The world still remembers Earl Simmons — better known as DMX — as the gritty, passionate voice that shook the hip-hop world. His raw delivery, unmistakable growl, and deeply personal lyrics resonated with millions. But behind the flashing lights, platinum records, and sold-out tours was a complex man with a large family — 15 children from multiple relationships — each with their own story, their own memories, and their own struggles after his passing.

This is not just the story of a rapper’s legacy. It’s a tale of fatherhood in all its complicated shades — of love, mistakes, reconciliation, and the lasting bond between a father and his children.

Before there were 15 children calling him “dad,” there was a boy from Yonkers, New York, trying to survive in a world that often seemed determined to break him. Earl Simmons grew up in an environment of poverty, instability, and street life. His childhood was marked by abuse and time in group homes — experiences that shaped the pain and truth in his music.

When he burst onto the scene in the late 1990s with his debut album It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, DMX wasn’t just another rapper. He was a storm. His tracks were confessions, prayers, and street sermons rolled into one. Fame came fast, and with it came relationships, affairs, and, eventually, children.

DMX’s family was anything but small. Over the years, he fathered 15 children with nine different women. The media often painted this as scandalous, but those who knew him personally say he never saw his children as a burden — he saw them as blessings, even if he couldn’t always be there for each one.

The children came from different walks of life, different states, and different mothers, but they all shared one thing: a connection to the man who was DMX. His kids’ names — Xavier, Tacoma, Shawn, Praise Mary Ella, and so many others — became part of his life story, each representing a different chapter.

Being the father of 15 children wasn’t easy for DMX, especially with the demands of fame. Tours, legal troubles, and struggles with addiction often kept him away. In interviews, he admitted the guilt he felt about not being the father he wanted to be all the time.

Still, his children recall moments of tenderness — phone calls before bed, surprise visits, and long talks about life. “My dad wasn’t perfect,” one of his older sons once said, “but when he was there, you knew he loved you.”

The world saw DMX’s legal troubles — arrests, lawsuits, and rehab stints — but behind closed doors, his children saw a man wrestling with demons. Substance abuse, money problems, and complicated relationships with their mothers sometimes led to fractured family ties.

Some of his children grew up together, others barely knew each other until later in life. Reunions were rare, but as DMX got older, he expressed a deep desire to bring all his children together under one roof.

On April 9, 2021, DMX passed away at the age of 50 after a heart attack reportedly triggered by a drug overdose. For his 15 children, the news hit like a tidal wave. Some were by his bedside in the hospital, holding his hand in his final moments, while others learned about it through a phone call or the news.

The world mourned a hip-hop legend. His children mourned their father.

For perhaps the first time, all of DMX’s children stood side by side in public during his memorial service. The sight of 15 young people — different ages, different backgrounds — united in grief was powerful. It was as if, in death, DMX had finally brought them all together.

They spoke of his warmth, his humor, and his faith. They laughed at his silly dances and remembered how he always prayed with them before eating. Some spoke about reconciling with him after years of distance. Others talked about the lessons he left behind.

In the months after his death, legal battles began over DMX’s estate. With no will in place, the division of his assets became complicated. Court filings revealed that multiple women claimed to be the mothers of his children, and DNA tests were ordered to confirm paternity for some.

The media turned the story into a spectacle, but for the children, it was less about money and more about closure. “It’s not about the millions,” one daughter reportedly said. “It’s about honoring who he was and making sure we’re not forgotten.”

While not all of their lives are public, here’s what is known about some of them:

Xavier Simmons – His eldest son, a musician and actor, who often spoke about the challenges of having a famous father.

Tacoma Simmons – Known for staying out of the limelight, working in the music industry behind the scenes.

Praise Mary Ella Simmons – One of his daughters with ex-wife Tashera Simmons, living a largely private life.

Several other children — both older and younger — have pursued careers in music, modeling, and content creation, while others have chosen quieter paths.

For some of DMX’s children, carrying his last name was both an honor and a burden. People expected them to be just like him — talented, tough, and fearless. But they also faced whispers, judgment, and constant comparisons.

Some embraced the spotlight, others ran from it. But all of them carried pieces of his personality — his resilience, his charisma, and his unshakable faith.

Since his passing, some of DMX’s children have spoken publicly about creating a foundation in his name, focusing on addiction recovery and youth mentorship. They believe that by telling their father’s story — both the triumphs and the struggles — they can inspire others to seek help and never give up.

For the public, DMX was the man who growled into microphones and commanded stadiums. For his children, he was the man who danced in the kitchen, gave the best hugs, and never forgot to say “I love you” before hanging up the phone.

Yes, he made mistakes. Yes, he had flaws. But his children remember a man who fought for his faith, tried to protect them in his own way, and always wanted them to believe in themselves.

The question “What happened to DMX’s 15 children?” doesn’t have a simple answer. They are still living their lives — growing, healing, and finding their own paths. Some are in the music industry, some are raising families, and some are still figuring things out.

But each one carries a piece of their father with them. In their smiles, their determination, and their refusal to let the world define them solely by his mistakes, DMX’s legacy lives on.

DMX once said in an interview: “The curse is that my life moves so fast I don’t get to see them as much. But the blessing is that I have them. All of them.”

In the end, the story of DMX’s 15 children is not just about who they are now, but about the love — messy, imperfect, but real — that he gave them. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what keeps his spirit alive in them today.