Rapper DMX charged with tax evasion

Rapper DMX has been charged with income tax evasion, the US Attorney's Office in New York says.

Earl Simmons, 46, of Yonkers, New York, surrendered to law enforcement agents on Thursday and is due to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Friday, federal prosecutors say.

According to an indictment unsealed on Thursday, DMX is accused of engaging in a multi-year scheme to conceal millions of dollars of income from the Internal Revenue Service and to avoid paying $US1.7 million ($A2.2 million) of tax liabilities.

"For years, Earl Simmons, the recording artist and performer known as DMX, made millions from his chart-topping songs, concert performances and television shows," the US Attorney's Office said in a statement.

"But while raking in millions from his songs, including his 2003 hit X Gon' Give it to Ya, DMX didn't give any of it to the IRS," it said.