Rapper DMX appeared in Maricopa County Superior Court dressed up in jeans and an oversized white T-shirt and pleaded not guilty to felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

Earlier this month rapper DMX was arrested on numerous counts, including felony marijuana and paraphernalia possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty.

DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested at his home after being caught on camera traveling at speeds over 100mph (161kph). It was not the first time when he was arrested for speeding and reckless driving. He faces other charges of racing on highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment, three counts of criminal speed on a suspended license.

This month, a Swat team raided his home to serve arrest and search warrants and indicted him on felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. The team entered his north Phoenix residence and discovered weapons, drugs at five pit bull puppies, which were taken to a nearby prison to be cared.

During an August raid at his home, authorities discovered 12 pit bulls locked in the house without food and water; some of them were dehydrated and appeared to be underfed and three of them were found buried in his back yard.

“I anticipated it, I explained to my client what was going to happen,” Simmon’s lawyer, Murray Richman said after the April raid. “I think that the animal cruelty is not going to be able to be established and I think that this is Sheriff Joe's moment.”