Rapper’s hospitalization reportedly caused court absence.

Rapper DMX’s lawyer says the performer had an excuse for missing his latest court hearing. X reportedly checked into a Miami hospital Tuesday, preventing him from returning to Arizona for a scheduled appearance on drug charges. Meanwhile, the Arizona judge in the case issued a warrant for DMX’s arrest after he missed a court date on the charges. Details aren’t clear about the nature of X’s ailment, but the judge who issued the warrant hadn’t been told the rapper was hospitalized. His lawyer hopes DMX can return to Arizona without being taken into custody. Legal problems and arrests have plagued the artist for most of 2008. Attorney Charles Kozelka says X is “serious” about getting help for substance abuse.