PHOENIX —  Rapper DMX has pleaded not guilty plea to felony drug possession and misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.

A judge entered the plea for the musician/actor whose real name is Earl Simmons at a brief court hearing in Phoenix on Thursday. Simmons was late for court, showing up in jeans and an oversized white T-shirt.

The 37-year-old was indicted last week on 11 counts, including felony marijuana and paraphernalia possession and seven counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty.

The charges stem from an August raid by authorities investigating if he was neglecting 12 pit bulls at his north Phoenix home. Some were dehydrated and appeared to be underfed. Three were found buried in his back yard.

Earlier this month he was arrested on numerous motor vehicle charges stemming from a January incident during which cameras caught him driving 114 mph on a local highway.

Simmons was charged with racing on a highway, reckless driving, two counts of endangerment and three counts of criminal speed and driving on a suspended license.

DMX rose to fame in the 1990s, when he had five consecutive No. 1 albums on the Billboard charts.

Besides his top-selling records, Simmons has acted in films including "Never Die Alone," "Romeo Must Die" and "Cradle 2 the Grave."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.