New England Sun-Times

Rapper/actor, DMX was freed from a Yuma, Ariz., prison July 19, 2011 after seven months behind barsfor probation violation. As soon as he touched free ground, Earl "DMX" Simmons checked in with his probation officer, then went shopping. He spent time with family and friends, then headed straight back to work in the studio for what was promised to be a double album. One side Secular, the other side Gospel. While some skeptics are saying this promised release would be contradictory, true DMX fans are salivating about the project and waiting impatiently for the musical return of Dark Man X. It has also been reported that DMX will sign to Maybach Music Group for his next release, and that he already has some TV and movie offers on the table. We are all happy to see our brother home and wish him much health and success. PHOTO: Jemal Countless/GettyImages

(CBS/WCBS/AP) NEWARK, N.J. -- Rapper and actor Ja Rule was sentenced July 18, 2011 to more than two years in federal prison for failing to file income tax returns. "I in no way attempted to deceive the government or do anything illegal. I was a young man who made a lot of money," he said minutes before being sentenced. "I didn't know how to deal with these finances, and I didn't have people to guide me, so I made mistakes." The platinum-selling rapper, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, admitted in March that he failed to pay taxes on more than $3 million that he earned between 2004 and 2006 while living in Saddle River. He has also been ordered to pay $1.1 million in unpaid taxes. Ja Rule was sentenced in New York City last month to up to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted criminal weapon possession. The case stemmed from a gun found in his luxury sports car in July 2007, reports  CBS affiliate WCBS . Depending o