Aaliyah’s mother reacts to DMX’s death: ‘You and baby girl will meet again’

‘Earl, you had and still have a heart of gold’

Aaliyah's mother Diane Haughton has shared a tribute to rapper DMX, who died on Friday (9 April).

Aaliyah, the Grammy-nominated R&B/pop singer who died in 2001 in a plane crash at the age of 22, famously co-starred in in the 2000 movie Romeo Must Die with DMX. The pair also collaborated on a single for the film’s soundtrack.

After Aaliyah's death, DMX (born Earl Simmons) appeared in a posthumous music video for “Miss You”, a track Aaliyah initially recorded in the fall of 1999. The video also featured Missy Elliott and Static Major.

“Earl, you had and still have a heart of gold,” Diane wrote on Aaliyah's official Instagram page. “You and Baby Girl will meet again with all the beautiful people we have lost. Will never forget your kindness. NEVER! Blessing to your family! Eternally! – Aaliyah's Mom.”

“Dearest, sweet Aaliyah,” DMX says in the opening moments of “Miss You”. “I have trouble accepting the fact that you're gone. So I won't. It'll be like we went for a while without seeing each other. But I can understand why God would've wanted you close to him. Because you truly were an angel on Earth. And in my own special way, I love you. I miss you.”

Following his death, DMX’s family shared the news with The Associated Press on Friday, a week after the rapper suffered a heart attack that left him on life support.

“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,” the family told People in a statement.

“Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end. He loved his family with all of his heart and we cherish the times we spent with him. Earl's music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever. We appreciate all of the love and support during this incredibly difficult time. Please respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of our brother, father, uncle and the man the world knew as DMX. We will share information about his memorial service once details are finalised.”