The artist has been in critical condition after suffering a devastating heart attack.
A vigil was held Monday in White Plains, New York, for DMX, as he fights for his life in the hospital. The artist's family, friends and fans gathered together outside the White Plains Hospital, and held prayers for his health.
ET spoke with Craig Brodhead, a member of DMX's management team and a friend of more than 30 years who was one of the estimated 500 people who gathered together for the vigil.
"He is in critical condition in the ICU unit... and we're all just praying for him," Brodhead said of the rapper -- whose real name is Earl Simmons. "I am extremely hopeful that he is going to pull through this."
"He wanted to give back and use his life as an example for others and his testimony to heal others and help others," Brodhead shared, adding that he has "faith" that the artist will eventually recover and continue those efforts.
Reflecting on the vigil itself, Brodhead said the event "was emotional" for all who turned out.
"God was there and you felt his presence and you felt his spirit. Earl was there, I felt his presence, felt his spirit, because he lives also through the people, his connection with the people," Brodhead shared.
"Everybody is pulling together for Earl and we all love him dearly, his children especially," he shared.
Among those in attendance at the vigil were his fiancee, Desiree, and their 4-year-old son, Exodus. One powerful moment came when Desiree was brought to tears, and was embraced supportively by DMX's ex-wife, Tashera Simmons.
"Tashera has always been supportive of Earl, they've known each other since they were teenagers, and so Tashera and Desiree are very close and supportive of one another," Brodhead said. "That was a very poignant moment."
Ultimately Broadhead said he feels the vigil will go a long way toward sending the kind of positive energy and love to help the hospitalized rapper recover.
"I know he feels it and his spirit feels it," he shared. "So I think that's what's going to help him, through God's grace, to be able to walk out of that hospital."
Tara Thomas, who owns the PR agency the Tara Thomas Agency and is close to both DMX and his fiancee, tells ET, "Earl has been a warrior his entire life. This situation represents yet another road he must cross."
Thomas adds, "He believed in me when no one else would. We are praying for a full recovery."
A statement released by his family over the weekend announced the planned vigil, and hundreds showed up to pay their respects.
The vigil -- as well as a smaller, impromptu vigil the previous Sunday night -- was organized in part by the Ruff Ryders motorcycle crew and the Ruff Ryders to the Rescue Foundation.
Many at the vigil held prayers for DMX's health, and played his music in his honor.
The "X Gon' Give It to Ya" rapper remains hospitalized after suffering a heart attack Friday night. A source close to the 50-year-old actor told ET that medical staff "tried to revive him twice in the house, and revived him again in the hospital."
"This is a very difficult time for the family," the source said, adding that DMX had recently relapsed with his drug addiction and had also suffered from COVID-19. "They are standing by his bedside, holding his hand and praying. They are really in prayer mode."
Angelo Ellerbee, a rep for the family, also told ET on Sunday that DMX remained in critical condition. "He is in a medical state from which I don’t think he will recover," he added.
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