Singer D’Angelo has pleaded not guilty after reportedly soliciting an undercover New York policewoman. D’Angelo, real name Michael Archer, was allegedly “cruising alone” in New York’s West Village, with more than $12,000 (£8,000) “stashed” in his car. Approaching an undercover police officer, he reportedly offered her $40 (£27) for “services”. He was subsequently arrested and charged with solicitation.

“We know there is a lot of speculation in regard to the arrest of D’Angelo in New York City this past weekend,” said his manager, Lindsay Guion. “We would like his fans and the public at large to know that D’Angelo has pled not guilty and is contesting the allegations made against him. … D’Angelo would [appreciate it] … if all would allow the American justice system to resolve the matter before jumping to any conclusions.”

Meanwhile, less than a year after he was released from jail on good behaviour, with plans to dedicate himself to God, rapper DMX has been arrested for violating the terms of his parole.

In January 2009, DMX told a US TV network that jail had taught him his “true calling in life, which is to be a pastor. I came here to meet somebody. I don’t know who it is, but I came to tell them that Jesus loves them. To tell them about the glory of God.”

Yet on Tuesday, DMX, real name Earl Simmons, admitted to his parole officer that he had been using cocaine over the last nine months. He was charged with five counts of violating probation and admitted to a Phoenix jail. He is being kept separate from other inmates.

Last year, DMX spent 90 days behind bars on drugs, weapons and animal cruelty convictions. Over the last three years, he has also been arrested for speeding, driving with a suspended licence, throwing a food tray while in jail, and using someone else’s social security number to obtain medical care at a Florida hospital.
Elsewhere, fellow rapper Lil Wayne began a one-year jail sentence yesterday after pleading guilty to possession of a gun. Dwayne Carter, as he will be known in prison, was arrested in July 2007 when a loaded .40-calibre semi-automatic gun was found on his tour bus. Sentencing had been delayed while he underwent surgery on his and the again after a fire shut down Manhattan’s main criminal court.

He was finally sentenced yesterday, and will be kept apart from the general population of inmates because of his fame. He could be released in about eight months’ time, with good behaviour.

Lil Wayne told Rolling Stone magazine last month he planned to keep working while behind bars: “I’ll be still rapping in there, have a gang of raps ready when I come back home.”