Imprisoned rap superstar DMX has released his first interview on the legal woes that have plagued him over the last year.
Speaking frankly with John Hooks of Fox 10 News, DMX explained how Arizona was originally his place of spiritual peace before the arrests.
“This has to be God’s country,” X stated of his first thoughts after driving through the state. “Then I met the devil. It’s not so much a person, just what happens. This is God’s country because I met the devil here. I overcame these obstacles [and] realized this is God’s country. He helped me get over it.”
Despite this, DMX is adamant that once he’s released he will immediately leave the state, citing an alleged personal feud with Phoenix Sherriff Joe Arpaio.
“I’m not looking back. I’m not coming back for a show, a visit; if a plane flies over I’m going around the state,” DMX quipped.
Regarding his recent guilty pleas on drug and animal cruelty charges, the Yonkers native maintains his innocence.
The rapper references as a defense the fact he was never apprehended in the act of a crime.
“I didn’t get in trouble,” X argued. “The police never arrested. It was always let’s get a police warrant (after the fact).”
DMX elaborated that his time in prison has solidified his belief that his true purpose is in Christian ministry.
“It’s (prison) has gotten me to my true calling in life, which is to be a pastor,” DMX revealed.
“I’m in my Bible everyday. They have me on 23-hour lockdown. Why I don’t know.”
Additionally, DMX confirmed rumored plans of a new gospel album and a embryonic reality show.
“I’m gonna start a TV show called Pain and Perseverance, it’s about how I can reach people that the average person can’t reach because I’m grounded,” he stated. “I’m going to give my first sermon, in the church. That’s going to be incredible for me and hopefully the congregation of that church. I’ve completed my gospel album. On every one of my albums there’s been a gospel song and prayer. Because of my image those songs are never made singles except my sixth album where they did ‘Lord Give Me a Sign.'”
In closing, the troubled star assures his fans this is the last jail stint he’ll ever serve.
“I learned this is not where I want to be,” X admitted. “Before I’d go there and be the life of the party…Pray for me because I’ll pray for you. Don’t believe everything you hear, and don’t believe everything you read, and only believe half of what you see. God bless you.”
DMX’s gospel album, rumored to be titled You’ll Fly with Me Later, does not a have release date.