Azealia Banks Files Assault Charges Against Actor Russell Crowe -Tha Wire

Today in Tha Wire, rapper/actor RZA is probably wishing he never brought rap diva Azealia Banks as his date to a recent get together, 'cause it kinda blew up in his face. According to the La Times, the raptress showed her behind at an intimate dinner hosted by acting legend Russell Crowe.

First, let's start with RZA's connection to the actor. The two have worked together on more than one occasion, co-starring in movies The Next Three Days and The Man with the Iron Fists 1&2, so they got some history and developed a friendship along the way. Which is probably why Crowe put him on the guest list for a private dinner and listening party recently.

TMZ originally broke the story, and apparently the 52-year-old actor is a musician/singer/songwriter in his spare time. He invited 10 people/plus 1, to his suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel Saturday night to have dinner and listen to some of his music. RZA brought 25-year-old raptress Azealia Banks as his plus-one. No, I don't think the two are dating; they are working together. Word has it RZA signed her to a record deal, and she's supposed to be appearing in his soon-to-be-released movie, Coco. More than likely, outside of their friendship and business, it could be, he was looking to get some good press going. Who knows?

However, good press is something Banks could use these days. It's no secret that she's had some issues controlling her temper. The rap star is constantly at war or beefing with other artists, she's been kicked out of various performance gigs, and is known for going ballistic on social media and making shocking racist remarks. So her image could use some major work.

Some time during the night, TMZ reports eyewitnesses claim Banks started making fun of Crowe's music. She was laughing at the star, and allegedly called him and another guest "boring white men". When a female guest took issue with her mocking and spoke up, Banks supposedly went off saying, "You would love it if I broke my glass, stabbed you guys in the throat, and blood would squirt everywhere." When she then grabbed her glass and cocked it back, a source said Crowe had enough.

TMZ reports four witnesses gave statements on what went down, and all of them said Crowe put Azealia in a “bear hug”, then marched her out of his suite and called hotel security. They all also said that the actor never called her anything; rather, it was Banks who allegedly was shouting N-bombs on her way out the door. RZA isn't backing her up, either. He gave a statement, and said that the rapstress was the only one hurling racial slurs.

You can bet the rap diva's account of what happened is different...a lot different. Via Jasmine Brand, Banks fired off a few posts (later deleted) on Facebook, to tell her side of the story, saying:

“To recap my night, I went to a party at Russell crowe’s suite, at which he called me a [racial slur], choked me, threw me out and spat at me. Last night was one of the hardest nights of sleep I’ve had in a long time. The men in the room allowed it to happen. I feel terrible today,” she wrote. “Just feel so low and mishandled and alone and … depressed right now. I wish I had someone to beat him up for me.”

Her manager also spoke out, saying, “She was attacked.” He continued, “What has been reported as to what had led up to the attack is all fictitious." Then he added, "Azealia is tremendously distraught and disheartened. She is shell shocked, and will speak out on the incident once she has had time to process the brutality and abuse she was unjustly subjected to."

Crowe's camp is quiet and more than likely allowing for an investigation on the matter to conclude before they say or do anything. Meanwhile, the rap star has supposedly filed assault charges against Crowe. There are always two sides to every story. No telling if Banks' account is true or not. One thing's for sure: this is a hot mess, and you can bet it's not over by a long shot. I will keep you posted, as always.

Meanwhile, for all things entertainment, tune into Tha Wire every weekday at 12:50pm and 3:50pm, only on The People's Station 107 Jamz.