Tacoma Simmons: DMX’s Son — Age, Career & Life After His Father

Tacoma Simmons is best known as the son of legendary rapper DMX (Earl Simmons), who died on April 9, 2021, at age 50. Unlike many celebrity children who chase the spotlight, Tacoma has built a quiet life on his own terms — working in music composition, retail management, and modeling while carrying one of hip-hop’s most recognizable last names.

Here’s what we know about his life, career, and how he’s moved forward since losing his father.

Early Life and Education

Tacoma Simmons was born on August 27, 1999, making him 26 years old with the zodiac sign Virgo. He grew up in Mount Kisco, New York, a small town in Westchester County about 50 miles north of Manhattan.

He’s of African-American ethnicity and holds American nationality. Despite his father’s fame and the chaos that often surrounded DMX’s public life, Tacoma’s childhood in Mount Kisco was relatively stable compared to what his father experienced growing up.

Tacoma attended and graduated from Fox Lane High School in Bedford, New York. There’s no confirmed information about whether he pursued a college degree after graduating. What is clear is that he moved into the workforce fairly quickly, taking on roles that connected to his interests in music and creative fields.

His Famous Father: DMX

Earl Simmons — known worldwide as DMX — was born on December 18, 1970, in Mount Vernon, New York. He became one of the most influential rappers of the late 1990s and early 2000s, with hits like “Party Up (Up in Here)” and “X Gon’ Give It to Ya” that still get heavy rotation today.

DMX’s debut album, It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot (1998), went multi-platinum. His third album, …And Then There Was X (1999) — released the same year Tacoma was born — became his best-selling record and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance. At his peak, DMX was the first artist to have five consecutive albums debut at number one on the Billboard 200.

Beyond music, DMX acted in films like Belly (1998), Romeo Must Die (2000), and Cradle 2 the Grave (2003). Tacoma and his mother attended the premiere of Cradle 2 the Grave alongside DMX, one of the public moments where the family appeared together.

DMX struggled with drug addiction for most of his adult life. On April 2, 2021, he suffered a cocaine-induced heart attack at his home in White Plains, New York. He was rushed to the hospital but never regained brain function. DMX died on April 9, 2021, at the age of 50. He left behind a complicated legacy — an undeniable musical talent paired with personal demons that followed him from a traumatic childhood through his final years.

At the time of his death, DMX had no will. Despite earning millions during his career, he’d filed for bankruptcy three times, and legal battles over his remaining estate followed.

His Parents’ Relationship

Tacoma’s mother, Tashera Simmons, met Earl Simmons when she was just 11 years old. They were childhood friends for years before they started dating, and they married in 1999 — the same year Tacoma was born.

The marriage was turbulent. DMX’s well-documented struggles with substance abuse, legal troubles, and multiple incarcerations put enormous strain on the family. He was also unfaithful throughout the marriage, fathering children with several other women while still married to Tashera.

In July 2010, following DMX’s first of three incarcerations that year, Tashera publicly announced their separation. The divorce was finalized in 2014. Despite the split, Tashera and Earl maintained a civil relationship for the sake of their children. However, tensions flared again in 2016 when Tashera claimed DMX was behind on child support payments.

Tashera has been open about her faith helping her through difficult times. Her Instagram bio reads in part that she’s a woman of God, and she’s built a modest public presence with over 150,000 followers on the platform. She’s also made small appearances in TV shows, including E! True Hollywood Story in 2009.

Siblings and Half-Siblings

Tacoma is one of four children that DMX had with Tashera Simmons:

• Xavier Simmons — born in 1992 (oldest)
• Tacoma Simmons — born in 1999
• Shawn Simmons — born in 2002
• Praise Mary Ella Simmons — born in 2005 (youngest)

Beyond his full siblings, Tacoma has at least 11 half-siblings from DMX’s relationships with other women. DMX reportedly fathered 15 or more children total with at least 9 different women. Some of Tacoma’s known half-siblings include:

• Sasha Simmons — born 2002 (mother: Patricia Trejo)
• Sonovah Junior — born 2009 (mother: Yadira Borrego)
• Aaliyah Simmons — born 2011, named after the late singer Aaliyah
• Exodus Simmons — born August 2016 (mother: Desiree Lindstrom, DMX’s fiancee at the time of his death)
• Aidyn and K’ydn Simmons — twins born December 2019 (mother: Pebbles Junell)

The sheer size of the Simmons family made DMX’s death even more complicated, especially without a will in place.

Career

Tacoma hasn’t tried to ride his father’s fame into a rap career. Instead, he’s taken a more grounded path with multiple professional interests.

According to his social media profiles, Tacoma works as a music composer. His Instagram bio has described him as “The Sound Provider,” suggesting he’s focused on the production and composition side of music rather than performing. This is a notable distinction — he’s clearly drawn to the art form his father dominated but has carved out a behind-the-scenes role.

He’s also worked as a manager at Guitar Center, the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in the United States. It’s a practical job that keeps him connected to the music industry while providing steady income — something his father, despite earning millions, often lacked due to financial mismanagement and legal issues.

There are also reports that Tacoma has explored modeling. At 5’9″ (175 cm), he’s on the shorter side for male modeling, but the industry has become more flexible with height requirements in recent years, especially for commercial and social media-driven work.

His estimated net worth sits at around $100,000 — modest by celebrity-offspring standards, but it reflects someone building wealth through actual work rather than inheritance. Given that DMX died without a will and with significant debts, there wasn’t a fortune to pass down.

Personal Life

Tacoma keeps his personal life extremely private. His Instagram account has only around 800 followers and is set to private. His bio references his Christian faith, reading “Disciple of Jesus Christ” — a value he shares with his mother, who’s also vocal about her faith.

There’s no confirmed information about whether Tacoma is in a relationship or has children. He doesn’t appear at public events or give interviews, which is a deliberate choice that separates him from the tabloid attention that followed his father for decades.

What we do know is that Tacoma had a close relationship with DMX before his death. Father and son spent time together at film premieres and family events. Tashera has shared glimpses of their bond on social media, including a video montage of Tacoma’s childhood photos she posted for his 22nd birthday in August 2021 — just four months after DMX’s passing.

Losing a parent at 21 is difficult under any circumstances. Losing one as publicly as Tacoma did — with DMX’s hospitalization and death covered by every major news outlet — adds another layer entirely. By all accounts, Tacoma has handled it with grace and without seeking public sympathy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Tacoma Simmons?

Tacoma Simmons is 26 years old. He was born on August 27, 1999. His zodiac sign is Virgo.

What does Tacoma Simmons do for a living?

Tacoma works as a music composer and has held a management position at Guitar Center. He’s also explored modeling. He hasn’t pursued a career in rap like his father.

How did Tacoma’s father DMX die?

DMX (Earl Simmons) died on April 9, 2021, at the age of 50. He suffered a cocaine-induced heart attack on April 2 and was hospitalized at White Plains Hospital in New York but never regained brain function.

How many siblings does Tacoma Simmons have?

Tacoma has three full siblings from his parents’ marriage: Xavier, Shawn, and Praise Mary Ella Simmons. He also has at least 11 half-siblings from DMX’s relationships with other women. DMX fathered 15 or more children total.

What is Tacoma Simmons’ net worth?

Tacoma Simmons’ estimated net worth is approximately $100,000. He earns income through music composition and his work at Guitar Center. His father DMX, despite earning millions during his career, died without a will and with significant debts.