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DMX Serenades Reporters With His Own Special Song of Freedom
AP
PHOENIX (July 25) - Chart-topping rapper DMX
pleaded not guilty to a pair of felony theft charges in a
Phoenix court Thursday, then treated reporters to an
impromptu rap about bouncing back from adversity.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was charged with one
count of theft and one count of taking someone else's
identity.
The charges stemmed from a visit Simmons made to the Mayo
Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, in April during which he gave
his name as "Troy Jones," allegedly to avoid paying for
treatment.
After denying the charges, he serenaded reporters waiting
outside the Maricopa County Superior Court.
"If and when you ever fall down, get back up," Simmons
began, according to a censored recording on a local radio
station's Web site.
"Drop something, stop fretting, pick that ... back up,
stand for something or fall for everything, wait for the right
pitch or miss with every swing," Simmons sang.
The 37-year-old rapper is next due to appear in court
Aug. 12.
Simmons, who has a home outside Phoenix, has been involved
in a string of legal tangles. In May, he was arrested on
suspicion of drug possession and animal cruelty after searches
of his home allegedly turned up weapons, drugs, dog carcasses
and abused pit bulls.
In 2006, he served more than two months at New York's
Rikers Island jail in connection with a 2004 incident when he
smashed his sport utility vehicle into a gate at John F.
Kennedy Airport after identifying himself as a federal agent.
His first five albums opened at No. 1 on the U.S. pop album
charts, but his most recent release, 2006's "Year of the Dog
... Again," ended that run by debuting at No. 2. Simmons has
also acted in several action movies, including "Cradle 2 The
Grave" and "Exit Wounds."
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-07-25 06:56:47
