Musician DMX rapped about rebounding from struggle outside a Phoenix courtroom after pleading not guilty to felony charges of theft and identity theft Thursday morning.
Then he plugged his new album.
DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, only rapped when asked for comment by reporters following the hearing. "If you ever fall down, get back up," he rapped.
Authorities said the 37-year-old gave the name "Troy Jones" and an incorrect Social Security number to a Scottsdale hospital in April to avoid paying $7,500 in medical expenses.
The theft and identity theft charges in that case come after months of trouble for the rapper.
Simmons already faces multiple charges of drug possession and cruelty to animals in Maricopa County.
He is due in court August 12 for a conference relating to those charges.
Simmons was released from jail Monday on $50,000 bond.
Phoenix police arrested Simmons on a felony warrant July 19.
Police said he was at the Metrocenter mall in Phoenix with a group of people when an officer ran his name and saw the warrant. ABC15 archives show earlier this month he was arrested at Sky Harbor Airport on outstanding warrants. He was flying in to Sky Harbor from Florida, where he was arrested on drug charges in Miami. Back in May he was arrested for driving at 114-miles-per-hour on the Loop 101 on a suspended license. He also faces an animal cruelty charge after authorities found malnourished dogs at his Cave Creek home last year.
"This defendant will be treated the same as any other defendant facing similar charges," said County Attorney Andrew Thomas. "We will move forward with all three cases."
Deputy County Attorney Anthony Church is prosecuting the cases.
