The performer, whose real name was Earl Simmons, had been placed on life support and died with his family by his side.
In a statement, his family said he was "a warrior who fought till the very end".
"Earl's music inspired countless fans across the world and his iconic legacy will live on forever," they said.
DMX, aka Dark Man X, was a leading hip-hop performer who collaborated with such artists as JAY-Z, Ja Rule and LL Cool J.
He took his moniker from the name of a drum machine used in rap tracks.
