Rapper DMX Sentenced to a Year in Prison

Rapper looking at third prison stint this year

It's back to the clink for rapper DMX, after his guilty plea to violating probation.

The hip hop artist, whose real name is Earl Simmons, drew a one-year term from an Arizona judge who warned him to get his act together. DMX was arrested on Nov. 18 in Phoenix for using cocaine and consuming alcohol during a performance, and later failing to check in with his probation officer. He was also accused of driving on a suspended license.

"I shouldn't have done it," the rapper said. "I wasn't done with the program. They let me out to do the show. I should have protected myself better."

DMX has already served two stints in prison this year, including 18 days of a 90-day sentence in connection with a reckless driving conviction from 2002 and four months for a previous parole violation charge.

Judge Christine Mulleneaux nixed two requests by the rapper's lawyer to release him on bail prior to sentencing ordered DMX to serve a year behind bars.

"Substance abuse issues are at the root of this problem,"Mulleneaux said. "Your criminal history goes back to 1988. It's going to continue if you don't take care of your mental health."

Selected Reading: Popeater, TheBoomBox,MTV

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