Busta Rhymes faces assault charge following Brooklyn incident

Busta Rhymes faces a third-degree assault charge for a January 10 incident in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighborhood.

Busta Rhymes is facing a third-degree assault charge following an incident in Brooklyn, New York, earlier this month. 

According to a spokesperson from the New York Police Department (NYPD), the 52-year-old rapper, whose real name is Trevor Smith Jr., turned himself in at the 84th precinct in Brooklyn on Tuesday night. Rhymes has been issued a desk appearance ticket, which requires him to appear in criminal court for an arraignment. The investigation is ongoing, as stated by the NYPD.

The charge relates to an altercation on January 10, where Rhymes allegedly punched a 50-year-old man multiple times in the face during a verbal dispute near the intersection of Jay and Front streets in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood. The victim reportedly suffered swelling to the left side of his face and was transported to NYC Health and Hospitals/Woodhull in stable condition.

Third-degree assault is a misdemeanor under New York state law, which involves intentionally or recklessly causing physical injury or using a dangerous instrument to cause harm. This is not the rapper’s first legal issue; in 2015, he faced a second-degree assault charge after allegedly throwing a protein drink at a gym employee. Rhymes was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2023 BET Awards.