DMX Discography of Crime

I was a little undecided today whether I should post some new music, or if I should go with some DMX.

“DMX?” you say.

“DMX,” I say.

While it is true that these days I don’t listen to much hip-hop, a few or so years ago, I did listen to a lot more. And one of the artists I was a fan of was the erstwhile Earl Simmons, DMX. That being the case, my ears perked up this week when I heard he has been arrested yet again.

“Rapper DMX has been indicted on felony charges by a grand jury in Arizona for allegedly trying to get out of paying a hospital bill,” according to an AP article. “Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas says the 37-year-old rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has been charged with one count of theft and one count of taking someone else's identity. Authorities say Simmons went to Scottsdale's Mayo Clinic in April, said his name was ‘Troy Jones,’ and received care with the intent of not paying the bill.”

At this point, he has apparently bailed out, but is still facing not only this charge, but also facing an 11-count animal-cruelty and drug-possession rap in Maricopa County, Ariz.

So, here’s a list of DMX’s past brushes with the law. As a disclaimer, I know nothing about the disposition of these cases. If you want the sources, they’re available on the Wiki page from which I gathered this info. There’s also some info at About.com.

*DMX and his wife were arrested on June 20, 1999, after a police investigation of his Teaneck, New Jersey home uncovered a gun and drug paraphernalia.

*In March 2000, DMX was arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speeding, failure to signal, driving without a license, failure to notify the DMV of an address change, and possession of marijuana New York State Route 33 in Cheektowaga, N.Y., following a concert in Buffalo, N.Y. He was then scheduled to appear in Cheektowaga Town Court on March 21, but failed to appear, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest. He later turned himself in, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving without a license and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined $400. He was also charged with marijuana possession, after turning himself in, when authorities found marijuana in a pack of his cigarettes; he was fined an additional $250.

*In 2002, he pled guilty to animal cruelty for having 13 neglected pit bulls in his possession.

*In June 2003, DMX was arrested for using indecent language during a performance at St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. The country's Information Minister alleged that a contract signed before the concert stipulated the show would be without indecent language on stage. Simmons was released on bail ($376).

*In June 2004, he was arrested at JFK Airport on charges of cocaine possession, criminal impersonation, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, menacing, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol while claiming to be a federal agent and attempting to carjack a vehicle.

*In May 2006, Simmons was arrested at a London airport for causing a disturbance after he refused to put on a seat belt and became abusive on a flight from New York to London. He was released with a caution.

*On Feb. 2, 2007, DMX was arrested for driving on an expired license charge, and scheduled an appearance in a Yonkers courtroom on Mar. 6, 2007, on that and other minor infractions.

*On Aug. 24, 2007, acting upon an animal cruelty tip, Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies reported to having removed 12 “malnourished” pit bulls from Simmon's Cave Creek home. None of these dogs had access to food or water. Deputies also found the bodies of three dead dogs buried in the garden. Simmons was not at home when the raid occurred. At this time, DMX has not been charged with animal cruelty.

*On May 9, 2008, Simmons was arrested for possession of drugs and weapons. Stemming from the August search of the rapper's home, the police searched his home twice, finding a number of mistreated pit bull puppies as well as a number of drugs and weapons.

*On June 23, 2008, DMX was arrested in Miami on a warrant for not having a valid driver's license. He was picked up Monday afternoon at around 1:30 p.m. for the warrant. X was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Monday afternoon, as of 5:30 p.m. His bond is set at $500.

*On June 27, 2008, DMX was arrested in Miami for attempting to buy cocaine and marijuana.

*On July 2, 2008, DMX was arrested in Phoenix at Sky Harbor Airport after arriving from Miami for outstanding warrants and failing to appear in court. His bond is $1,075 for driving without a license and $10,000 for previous drug charges on May 9.

This latest arrest is not a lot of good news for the man who is one of the best selling rap artists of all time; he could be facing some serious time. We’ll have to see how it plays out.

Here’s a couple of songs from DMX’s 1998 debut, It’s Dark and Hell is Hot.

Ruff Ryders Anthem.mp3
Get At Me Dog.mp3

Labels: current events, hip-hop

posted by aikin @ 8:17 PM