When it comes to sparking controversy, no one does it better than Azealia Banks, the New York City-based rapper best known for her 2011 viral hit “212”. Since then, she’s been in the news more for infamous statements than for her music, leaving us all waiting for what she’ll post on Twitter next rather than her next song. In her latest debacle, which involves actor Russell Crowe, Banks may have crossed the line yet again.
This time, the controversy took place in a small Beverly Hills hotel party hosted by famed Gladiator actor Russel Crowe. According to TMZ, Banks came to the party as a guest of Wu-Tang Clan legend RZA, and began mocking Crowe’s musical selection, calling him and other guests “boring white men”. After a woman came to the defense of Crowe, Banks reportedly threatened both of them by saying “you would love it if I broke my glass, stabbed you guys in the throat.”
From there, reports claim that Banks grabbed a glass, causing Crowe to restrain and kick her out of his hotel suite. She was then allegedly escorted off of the premises by hotel security. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Banks claims that Crowe chocked her, spat on her, and used a racial slur as well. When Crowe refused to apologize as per Banks’ demand, she filed a battery report with the Beverly Hills Police Department against the actor.
According to the her manager Raýmani's Twitter account, Banks “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.” On Facebook, Banks told her fans to “stay tuned”, hinting that she has evidence that may prove her to be the victim in this case.
A statement has been issued regarding my client Azealia Banks, "Azealia is tremendously distraught and disheartened. She is shell shocked…
— Raýmani (@Raymani) October 17, 2016
and will speak out on the incident once she has had time to process the brutality and abuse she was unjustly subjected to."
— Raýmani (@Raymani) October 17, 2016
In the past, Azealia Banks has gotten herself into spats with a wide range of public figures, including Perez Hilton, Iggy Azalea, and even Sarah Palin. She’s also been caught on camera punching and spitting on a French couple and Delta Airlines flight attendant, and even got temporarily suspended from Twitter for making racially insensitive comments towards ex-One Direction member Zayn Malik and 14-year-old Disney star Skai Jackson.
It is important not to discredit Banks or Crowe until more details or evidence arises, but with all of the infamous comments made in her past, it’s tough to immediately jump to Banks' side. That being said, Russell Crowe has also been plead guilty to assault in the past for throwing telephone at an employee of New York City's Mercer Hotel back in 2005.
Regardless of the situation’s impending outcome, it’s safe to say that she won’t be attending anymore of Russell Crowe’s parties for a long time.
