October 14, 2011 14:17

DMX claims he has 'let the cocaine go'

Rapper says he's beaten his drug addiction to be a better role-model to his kids

Photo: PA Photos

DMX has claimed that he has finally conquered his drug addiction.

The rapper, who has found himself in trouble with the authorities on several occasions after using illegal drugs, told TMZ that he has "let the cocaine go" in order to help him be a better father to his 10 children.

In 2009, the hip-hop star was sentenced to 90 days in prison for a variety of offences ranging from drugs to animal cruelty charges, and was then handed an 18 month probation sentence after throwing a food tray at a detention officer in an Arizona jail.

He was then arrested in 2010 for regularly using drugs and violating the conditions of his probation, and had his jail sentence extended again in July of this year due to drug possession behind bars.

However, DMX is now insisting he has given up his vices, saying:

Everyone was taking advantage of me with my finances, trying to put me in the direction to fail. I have 10 kids. I have to drive them in the right direction, so I let the cocaine go.

"I am on a spiritual road to do right in my life. I am leaving out all negativity and going to stay on the right road to positive," he added.

TMZ also claim that DMX’s church pastor – who was not named – agreed that the Ruff Ryders MC had changed, adding: "When [DMX] first came to my church he looked broken and sad, and full of struggle. Now you see a dramatic strange. You see that the drugs and alcohol aren’t in his life."

Earlier this year, DMX claimed he was planning on suing Arizona police for harassment after he was arrested for speeding (August 24). The rapper denied he had been over 100 miles an hour in a 65 mile an hour area.