Busta Rhymes - file

new york (ap)

Rapper Busta Rhymes was arraigned yesterday on an assault charge stemming from an incident in which he reportedly attacked a man for spitting on his car.

Police released few details about the arrest except that it was for an incident that occurred August 12.

Rhymes was arraigned on a charge of third-degree assault and was released on his own recognisance, said Barbara Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney's office. He is due back in court on October 24.

Representatives of the rapper, whose legal name is Trevor Smith, could not immediately be reached for comment. Messages left for Violator Management and for a lawyer who once represented him were not returned.

Police have wanted to interview Rhymes since the February shooting death of one of his bodyguards, Israel Ramirez.

Ramirez, 29, was killed outside a Brooklyn studio where Rhymes was recording a music video.

The performer and another bodyguard were sued the following month by a fan who says the two men beat him after he asked for the rapper's autograph.

The arrest occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday when police apprehended Rhymes after he performed at the Amsterjam Music Festival on Randalls Island.