The chorus of Busta Rhyme's 1998 single Gimme Some More was unlikely to be echoing around Manhattan's Criminal Court when the rapper was given three years' probation after pleading guilty to charges of assault and drink-driving yesterday.
Rhymes, 35, was also given a fine and sentenced to community service over four incidents, which ranged from beating a former chauffeur of his to attacking a fan who allegedly spat on his car.
The rapper, whose real name is Trevor Smith, told the court as he left the building that he respected the verdict. "I just want to say that I'm very grateful to the judge, and I'm very grateful to the system," he said. "I believe in the system."
While the system will take some comfort over Rhymes's remarks, it will also be relieved to see an end to a saga of malfeasance which has run and run.
Assault charges were first brought against Rhymes early last year when he was accused of beating and kicking his former driver during a pay dispute and attacking a fan at a music festival.
These charges were pending when, last February, he was stopped by police after driving through a red light and it was discovered he was driving on a suspended licence. Then, last May, he was arrested for drink-driving, allegedly admitting to police that he had quaffed a single shot of cognac an hour before getting behind the wheel.
Busta Rhyme's most recent album, The Big Bang, was released in 2006, but he has featured as a guest rapper on many R&B tracks since.
