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DMX has an arrest record longer than his discography. Much longer. The troubled rapper from Yonkers has found himself in the back of a cop car far too often for drug chargers, driving offenses, and once for posing as an FBI agent. It's sad, because underneath all the trouble is a talented dude. He was only the second rapper to put out two platinum albums in one year—the other is Tupac, so good company. Still, he's known better now for his skirmishes with the law than his music and it doesn't look like that'll change. DMX has been busted for driving without a license so many times, including earlier this year, that we wonder if he's ever had a license. We dug through those cases and more to bring you A Complete History of DMX's Driving Arrests.
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Cheektowaga
Date: 3/3/2000
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Car: Unknown
Charges: Traffic violations, driving with a suspended permit, and possessing marijuana
DMX was arrested on the Kensington Expressway for traffic and drug charges. He pleaded guilty and received a 15-day sentence, but didn't actually go to jail for nearly a year. A warrant for his arrest was issued the next February and he turned himself in two weeks later, only after finishing promotion for his film "Exit Wounds."
Los Angeles
Date: 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Car: Unknown
Charges: Reckless driving
It would be 10 years before Earl Simmons served time for this one. He turned himself in for the reckless driving charge (reduced from drunk driving) in 2010 and served 90 days. His attorney said at the time, "This is one of many steps towards rebuilding his image and rapport with the community and his loyal fans."
JFK Airport
Date: 6/24/2004
Location: JFK Airport, NY
Car: Unknown
Charges: Driving under the influence and reckless endangerment
In the rapper's rap sheet to end 'em all, June of 2004 saw DMX clock up the following violations, ostensibly while dabbling in a bout of road rage with a fellow motorist at JFK airport: attempted robbery, criminal mischief, menacing, DUI, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal possession of a weapon, and being found with a banned substance (crack cocaine). Most raffishly of all, when police came to intervene in the ruckus, DMX identified himself as a federal agent (Surprise! He's not.), possibly while pointing proudly to the fake flashing light and siren he'd hooked up to his car. Unbelievably, when it came time for his trial, DMX escaped with a conditional discharge.
North Castle
Date: 12/15/2004
Location: North Castle, NY
Car: Unknown
Charges: Aggravated unlicensed operation, speeding and driving an unregistered vehicle.
Just weeks after reaching an agreement with prosecuters for his last run-in, DMX was caught hauling ass at 104mph in a 65 mph zone. He'd be sentenced the next year to 70 days in jail.
Bronx
Date: 4/15/2005
Location: Bronx, NY
Car: 2005 Dodge Magnum
Charges: Driving with a suspended license
DMX took N.W.A.'s words to life like no other rapper when he caused a three-vehicle accident. The rapper sent a car flying into a police cruiser and injured two officers. The courts tacked on another week to his 70-day sentence.
White Plains
Date: 6/2/2006
Location: White Plains, NY
Car: 2001 Chevy Suburban
Charges: Speeding and other traffic charges
In true DMX fashion, he also didn't show up for the court date for this incident.
Harrison
Date: 6/11/2006
Location: Harrison, NY
Car: Unknown
Charges: Illegally driving on the hard shoulder
And you thought you hated waiting in traffic. DMX had enough and drove onto the shoulder of the Hutchinson River Parkway. When he tried to get back onto the highway he hit another car. His clean streak from auto incidents lasted nine days.
Phoenix
Date: 5/7/2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Car: 1966 Nova II
Charges: Racing on a highway, driving on a suspended license, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment and three counts of criminal speed
Back in January of the same year, DMX was caught speeding numerous times on camera. He was seen driving an old yellow Nova at 100,114, and 101 mph. The Phoenix police put together an investigation into his driving habits and eventually arrested DMX in May.
Miami
Date: 6/23/2008
Location: Miami, FL
Car: Unknown
Charges: Not having a valid driver's license
He's got warrants. DMX was picked up again on a warrant for driving without a license.
Phoenix 2
Date: 7/2/2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Car: Unknown
Charges: Outstanding warrants
Fresh off the plane from Florida, DMX was greeted back to Arizona with an arrest for outstanding warrants. Generally, when you arrested for driving without a license not appearing to court will only make things works.
Miami 2
Date: 8/14/2008
Location: Miami, FL
Car: Unknown
Charges: Failure to appear on drug charges
There he was just minding his own business, parked illegaly in a handicap spot when he was arrested for failure to appear in an Arizona court. He doesn't even need to drive to get busted.
Los Angeles 2
Date: 8/12/2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Car: Rented Mercedes-Benz
Charges: Driving without a license
It took just one day after his release from jail for DMX to get in more trouble. He was pulled over for "minor traffic violation" when police discovered DMX didn't have a license. Has he ever?
Maricopa County
Date: 8/24/2011
Location: Maricopa County, AZ
Car: Chrysler 300
Charges: Speeding, driving with a suspended license
He was doing 102 in a 65. No license. Deja Vu, much?
Hollywood
Date: December 2011
Location: Hollywood, CA
Car: Unknown
Charges: Not wearing his seatbelt
"Just a minor ticket no biggie. A quick learning lesson about not wearing a seat belt. I will handle and pay for it." The rapper adds, "This would be the only reason I come in contact with the police because I am a changed man." Is that so? Well, I guess he's kind of right, considering the next slide is about him getting arrested for not having a license.
Spartanburg
Date: 2/13/2013
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Car: 1978 Buick
Charges: Driving without a license
"I didn't have a license ... [they] put the cuffs on me. Brought me here. I paid the money. Basically, just five hours wasted for nothing." At least it's not an arrest for drugs?