DMX’s Ex-Wife Loses Legal Bid for Rights to Rapper’s Music Catalog

In a pivotal legal decision, Tashera Simmons—the former wife of the late rapper DMX—suffered a setback in her attempt to claim a share of his estate. Simmons, who was married to DMX for 16 years, had sought ownership of half the rights to his extensive catalog, including copyrights, trademarks, and control over his likeness.

On April 7, Judge David F. Everett ruled in favor of DMX’s estate, affirming its sole ownership of all intellectual property amassed by Earl Simmons—better known as DMX—during his marriage, along with any trademarks or rights he held at the time of his death in 2021. Although the 2016 divorce settlement between Simmons and the rapper referenced “intellectual property,” it failed to clearly define any shared ownership. In the years leading up to his death, DMX consistently maintained that the agreement referred strictly to royalty payments.

Simmons Considers Appeal After Court Rules on DMX’s Estate and Child Support Dispute

Judge Everett emphasized that Simmons had previously waived her right to challenge the estate as part of a prior legal settlement. In the wake of the decision, Simmons’ attorneys voiced strong objections, contending that the ruling ignored longstanding legal precedent and unjustly deprived Simmons and her children of benefits they believe are owed. “To say that Ms. Simmons and her children are disappointed would be an understatement,” the legal team said in a statement. “We believe the court misread the plain language of the agreement and failed to consider the clear intent reflected in both parties’ conduct.”

Following the court’s ruling, Simmons is said to be weighing the possibility of an appeal. Meanwhile, DMX’s estate—overseen by his former fiancée Desiree Lindstrom and his daughter Sasha—praised the decision, framing it as a critical step in preserving the late rapper’s legacy. While Simmons fell short in her bid for intellectual property rights, the court granted her a partial win on financial grounds. Judges affirmed that DMX had failed to pay a significant sum in child support—an alleged $214,000—prior to his death, in breach of their divorce settlement.