Busta Rhymes has vehemently rejected accusations leveled against him by his ex-assistant, Dashiel Gables, who filed a federal lawsuit earlier this week. In this legal action, initiated on Tuesday in a federal court, Gables charged Rhymes—legally known as Trevor Smith—with assault and battery, deliberate infliction of emotional distress, and multiple breaches concerning minimum wage regulations, overtime compensation, and wage statement requirements. Gables seeks monetary damages, though the exact amount remains unspecified.
"I have taken cognizance of the assertions made by Dashiel Gables, and I unequivocally refute these allegations," Rhymes declared in a statement issued on Thursday. "Dashiel assisted me for a fleeting period, but things didn't pan out. It seems Dashiel, in retaliation for being terminated, has conjured up these accusations to tarnish and undermine my reputation."
According to the lawsuit, Gables commenced his employment with Rhymes in July 2024. He alleges that Rhymes habitually demeaned him, yelled at him, and made unreasonable demands of him and other staff members. Specifically, Gables claims that Rhymes assaulted him at around 4 a.m. on January 10, 2025, at Rhymes' New York residence. The alleged assault occurred after Gables used his phone to text his daughter during work hours.
"This provoked Busta Rhymes into a fury," the lawsuit asserts. "He shouted, 'Stay the fuck off your phone!'" Gables explained in the suit that it was his daughter calling, and though he declined the call, he texted her to ascertain if it was an emergency. Rhymes allegedly retorted, "Don't tell me about your fucking kid, what the fuck that gotta do with me."
"When Gables responded that it could have been urgent, Rhymes snapped, 'Are you talking while I'm talking?' and then, with a clenched fist, struck Gables in the face," the lawsuit continues. Rhymes allegedly punched Gables again. As Gables walked away, Rhymes reportedly became "even more incensed," screaming like a spoiled child.
Following the alleged attack, Gables sought medical treatment at a hospital for facial swelling and bruises and subsequently filed a police report. According to the lawsuit, the assault and subsequent police report have led to Gables being "blacklisted from the hip-hop industry."
"This blacklisting has imposed and continues to impose severe economic hardships on Gables, hindering his ability to secure employment in his area of expertise and compelling him to seek work in other sectors at substantially lower wages," the lawsuit claims.
In response, Rhymes stated on Thursday that he was preparing a countersuit against Gables. "I am eager to demonstrate the falsity of these allegations and am in the process of filing a countersuit, which I am confident will reveal this for what it truly is—an extortion attempt by a dissatisfied ex-assistant," Rhymes asserted. "Ultimately, I am confident that the truth will emerge victorious."
