Rapper Joe Budden is in the spotlight again, but not while onstage performing his hip-hop artistry or filming VH1's popular reality series Love & Hip Hop.
Officers with the New York City Police Department began searching Friday for the rapper on charges that he assaulted and robbed his model ex-girlfriend last week at a restaurant in the Washington Heights section of New York City, the Daily News reports.
The incident began about 4:30 a.m. Sunday when Budden, a former Def Jam recording artist known for his “Pump It Up” hit, reportedly went to a restaurant to confront the woman, whose name was not released because she is a victim of abuse. Upon finding her, Budden allegedly grabbed her and forced her into his car. During the confrontation, said to be over Instagram images of the woman dancing with other men, Budden allegedly took her cellphone and twisted her arm, the Daily News reports.
Then he reportedly drove the woman to his home in New Jersey, where the altercation continued. The woman eventually escaped and called police, the Daily News reports.
Budden apparently has spent the weekend so far hiding in plain sight on social media.
https://twitter.com/JoeBudden/status/502963719769686017https://twitter.com/JoeBudden/status/502947015119364096
Budden is the latest celebrity or high-profile athlete to come under the harsh glare of the spotlight after alleged charges of domestic violence. Last month Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice received a two-game suspension as punishment for a domestic violence incident with his then-fiancee and now-wife, Janay Palmer. In the aftermath of Rice’s suspension, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith was suspended after saying women needed to make sure they don’t “provoke” an attack.
Read more at the Daily News.