On Friday (Jan. 25), DMX was released from prison after serving a year-long sentence for tax evasion. The “How’s It Goin’ Down” rapper was detained at Gilmer Correctional Institution in West Virginia.
The 48-year-old artist was first arrested in July 2017 for tax fraud with the prosecution stating he had a $2.3 million outstanding bill. The evasion was reportedly made possible by DMX’s alleged decision to set “up accounts in other’s names and paying personal expenses largely in cash,” CBS News reports. Prior to that, DMX was imprisoned on Jan. 28, 2018, for drug use while his tax sentencing case was preparing to go to trial.
According to TMZ, the New York native will also have to attend mental health and substance abuse related programs upon his return. In addition to getting his footing outside of prison, reports state DMX is planning to work on new music and even a biopic.
“I spoke to him; he’s very happy,” Murray Richman, X’s attorney, said to Vulture. “He’s looking forward to being home. He’s never been hotter than now — people have been seeking him out all over.”