Busta Rhymes released on $3,500 Bail

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper Busta Rhymes was arraigned on Thursday, January 4th, in Manhattan Criminal Court. New York Newsday reports that Judge Neil Ross set bail at $3,500 for the third-degree assault charge. Rhymes posted bail and is due back in court on February 20th.

The charges stem from an incident which occurred on December 26th. A former driver for the rapper accused him of beating him up when he demanded pay for 19 days worth of back invoices. The driver, Eddie Hatchett, said that he went to Rhymes'downtown office on December 26th to see about getting paid but the rapper got angry and attacked him. According to Hatchett, he suffered several facial lacerations due to Rhymes and his bodyguards.

Rhymes'lawyer Robert Kalina said, "I can tell you, judge, my client is innocent, and I rarely say this in a courtroom."

Rhymes is also facing assault charges for allegedly beating up a man who spit on his Maybach last August.

The rapper is currently working on a new album, Before Hell Freezes Over, which he plans to release in April. The rapper told MTV.com, "You're gonna get your traditional Busta Rhymes-and-Pharrell collabo," he said. "My man Focus from the Aftermath crew; Dr. Dre; the late, great Jay Dilla got work on the album. It's gonna be great -- look forward to the new bang-out."