Rakim arrested

[T-Dogg]

MTV.com reports the following...

NEW YORK — Rap legend Rakim was arrested by plain-clothed officers around 11 p.m. as he was about to enter Roseland Ballroom to perform Tuesday night, according to numerous eyewitnesses.

The officers flashed their badges, told Rakim they had a warrant for his arrest and took him away in an unmarked car, witnesses said. Rakim reportedly was handcuffed and went willingly. A security guard at Roseland said he saw the officers staked out across the street from the venue as early as 6 p.m.

Sources close to Rakim later confirmed the arrest to MTV News, and NYPD officers at the venue said the arresting officers were members of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. A sheriff's department spokesperson said no comment could be made about the arrest until Wednesday morning.

Slick Rick announced the arrest onstage, and the concert, headlined by Ghostface and featuring Talib Kweli and Royce Da 5'9", otherwise continued as planned.

Rakim is one of the most respected MCs in the rap game, perhaps best known for the classic "Paid in Full" from the 1987 Eric B. & Rakim album of the same name. He recently spent several years on Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records but didn't release anything on the imprint (see "Despite Their Split, Rakim Wants Dr. Dre On His New LP").

Be sure to check back with MTVNews.com for more details as this story unfolds.

[This story was updated at 1:59 a.m. ET on 04.28.2004]



—Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Joseph Patel

[UKnowWhatItIs: welcome to my traps....game over]

I wonder what he did.

[T-Dogg]

Me too.

[Leggy Hendrix]

damn...they better explain this soon...they cant arrest the GOD without explaining themselves!!

[smerlus]

they probably arrested him for "impersonating a rapper with a CD coming out"

[West C. Connected]

they probably arrested him for "impersonating a rapper with a CD coming out"

LOL

[Bramsterdam (see ya)]

I wonder what he did.

[Jome]

He was arrested for not paying child-support, but released again now.. not guilty.

LOL, you can get ARRESTED for that in America.. ??
That's great..  

Rakim Cleared Of Child-Support Charges, Released
04.28.2004 6:48 PM EDT
   
   
Rakim (file)
Photo: MTV News
 
NEW YORK — Rakim has been cleared.

The MC appeared in Suffolk County Family Court Wednesday afternoon (April 28) with his lawyer, Robert Kalina, and provided documents proving he was not delinquent in his child-support payments, according to Kalina. A clerk for the court was not at liberty to comment on the details of the case.

Around 11 p.m. Tuesday night, just as Rakim (real name William Griffin) was about to enter Roseland Ballroom to appear onstage at a Ghostface concert, he was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court nearly three years ago, relating to a charge that he failed to pay child support (see "Rakim Arrested Before Show With Ghostface, Talib Kweli"). After providing the proper documentation in court, Rakim was released.

Rakim's manager and business advisor both said their client was erroneously arrested; Kalina said he was bewildered by the arrest as well.

On Wednesday morning a woman calling herself Nicole Smith and claiming to be the mother of Rakim's child phoned New York radio station Hot 97 and was interviewed by morning-show hosts Miss Info, DJ Envy and Ebro Darden. Smith also claimed to be an employee of the Suffolk County Court.

"[The police] were looking for him. They knew he was coming to perform," she said. Smith painted a picture of the legendary MC as a poor provider and claimed there were orders in Suffolk County and Connecticut for him to pay nearly $25,000 in child support.

At press time, Rakim was unavailable for comment and had not released an official statement.

[Trauma-san]

Yes Jome, in America, we have laws that we enforce.  We can't just come repossess your goats like they do in Norway; people actually get arrested here for things like failing to follow a court order, speeding, etc.  Kind of like when they write citations over there for ice fishing without a permit, you know, shit like that.

[smerlus]

i'm with Jome....you should be able to father as many children you want.....bust nuts like johnny appleseed planted trees.....and if you're a millionaire you shouldn't have to support them what so ever.... this is what's wrong with america...poor poor Rakim  

[Darksider]

nothin big

[Neji Huga]

i'm with Jome....you should be able to father as many children you want.....bust nuts like johnny appleseed planted trees.....and if you're a millionaire you shouldn't have to support them what so ever.... this is what's wrong with america...poor poor Rakim  

You and ODB..... Some people just make bad decisions

[Jome]

Officer 1: Hey, I see that a certain William Griffin haven't been keeping up with his childsupport payments lately.
Officer 2: Doublecheck it.. ??
Officer 1: Fuck that, cuff him at the concert venue, I heard he's one of these "rappers" !! Plain clothes of course, this man might be a danger to society, and escape if he spots popo.

I agree with Slip Capone on this one:

"I'ma send the Statue of Liberty back to France, in a bodybag, broken in half, you fuckin fags !!"

And oh: I want my shit back, the Statue of Liberty is made of Norwegian material.

[Jome]

Kind of like when they write citations over there for ice fishing without a permit, you know, shit like that.

Try a different country smartass.