Nas Pleads Not Guilty to Sitting on Kelis' Cash

Rapper accused of violating a court order, will face a judge in March

Kelis firmly believes Nas is hiding the dollar bills.

The rapper pleaded not guilty, however, to contempt of court for failing to pay the judge-ordered amount of $51,000 per month in child and spousal support to his ex-wife.

Kelis' camp says the Illmatic rapper is $200,000 behind and, on Friday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David S. Cunningham III brought the criminal charge, agreeing that Nas appears to be thumbing his nose at a court order.

Nas' camp maintains that he really can't afford the hefty sum (maybe he shouldn't have declared Hip Hop Is Dead in 2006) and just needs more time to get the evidence that proves it together. Another hearing was set for next month.

Kelis gave birth to the estranged duo's son, Knight, last July, less than three months after filing for divorce.