DMX: Arrest Warrant Is a Mixup ... Thought I Was Cleared to Party

DMX has a perfectly good explanation for missing his latest court date -- he thought it was changed so he could party in Vegas.

An arrest warrant was issued for DMX after he missed a court hearing on Monday to address child support issues with his ex-wife Tashera Simmons and their 4 kids.

A rep for DMX tells us they believed they got the court date changed in advance because they had an event booked. X performed "DMX-Mas" in Las Vegas on Sunday night.

In October, the same NY judge let him out of jail so he could perform and make money for child support. Sources in the court tell us the judge now thinks he was too lenient with the rapper.

We're told X’s attorney is contacting the court to work out the details, and they believe the warrant will be lifted.