Busta Rhymes Denies Ex-Assistant’s Assault Allegations, Calls Lawsuit a “Shake-Down”

Veteran rapper Busta Rhymes (born Trevor Smith Jr.) has firmly denied the assault and labor-related claims made against him in a civil lawsuit filed by his former assistant, Dashiel Gables (also known as Divine). Gables alleges that during a confrontation in January 2025, Rhymes physically assaulted him—punching him in the face twice after Gables used his phone to text his daughter. The complaint also accuses Rhymes of wage violations, battery, emotional distress, and blacklisting Gables from the industry after he reported the incident.

In response, Rhymes issued a statement to PEOPLE emphasizing his “complete and categorical” denial of all accusations. He characterized the lawsuit as an act of retaliation after Gables was let go following a brief stint working for him, calling it “an attempted shake-down by a disgruntled former assistant.” He further announced plans to countersue, confident that “the truth will prevail.”

The allegations came to light following a police report and a subsequent arrest in January, after which Rhymes turned himself in. The matter is now moving through the federal court system.