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Brooklyn Pro Era rapper Joey Bada$$ was reportedly arrested in Australia following an altercation where he broke a security guard's nose over New Year's at the Falls Music & Arts Festival in Byron Bay on the north coast of New South Wales. The "Waves" rapper has been charged with assault by police after allegedly punching a security guard when challenged for his backstage credentials just before going onstage for his allotted 8.30 p.m. set on Jan. 2 at the Australian music festival (which is also held in Lorne, Victoria, and Marion Bay, Tasmania). He was reportedly arrested after coming offstage following his set, says the ABC.
As reported by Australia's The Sydney Morning Herald, a police spokeswoman confirmed that "A 20-year-old man was allegedly punched in the face by a man while working as a security guard at the festival. The man was treated for a broken nose and other facial injuries."
Bada$$ — whose decidedly un-badass real name is Jo-Vaughn Jalani Virginie — "was refused bail and appeared at Lismore Bail Court on Saturday [Jan. 3]," added the police spokeswoman.
He was officially charged with "with assault occasioning actual bodily harm," and Bada$'s court hearing has been set at the "Byron Bay Local Court on March 19," reports the Australian newspaper.
After reports of the incident surfaced, as Pitchfork report, Bada$$'s rep released a statement."There was a misunderstanding with security at the Byron Falls Festival show, which resulted in charges being laid by NSW Police. After fully cooperating with Police, Joey was granted bail and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge."
The "Big Dusty" rapper will apparently continue his Australian tour as planned.
After releasing a string of successful singles such as "Waves" and "My You (feat: Maverick Sabre)", and his 1999 mixtape, Bada$$'s debut album B4 Da $$ will be released on January 20, which, Billboard reports, is also the rapper's 20th birthday.
Taking to twitter, the Brooklyn rapper tweeted out: "The crucification of my image has already begun. Remember don't believe everything you see or hear. They build u up to tear you down..."
The crucification of my image has already begun. Remember don't believe everything you see or hear. They build u up to tear you down...
— B4.DA.$ 1.20.15 (@joeyBADASS) January 5, 2015
Check out his new track "On and On" with Maverick Sabre below:
