First thing I want to do is shame The New York Daily News for writing this lede: “Call him Busted Rhymes.” Sure, Busta Rhymes was arrested for chucking a Lean Body protein drink at an employee of Chelsea’s Steel Gym, but that doesn’t mean we should be subjected to such unfeeling and unfunny wordplay.

43-year-old Trevor Tahiem Smith Jr., aka Busta Rhymes, was charged with second degree assault for throwing the drink, and arrested at the scene around 8:30PM yesterday. Many witnesses allege that this was part of ongoing tension between the employee and Rhymes. According to one bodybuilder, the employee refused to allow a videographer into the gym to record Rhymes’ workout on Tuesday, and when Rhymes returned on Wednesday the employee told him to leave. Sean Aird, a 23-year-old bodybuilder who saw the exchange said the employee provoked Rhymes.

“Things got heated. Busta splashed water on him and the employee threw water back,” Aird said. “Busta’s security got between them. The cops came and (the employee) kept changing his story. He was provoked. Busta never had any physical contact with him whatsoever.”

Another employee confirmed that there was bad blood between Rhymes and the employee, saying: “This has been going on for a long time.”

Gym management gave no comment, but after being released early by a judge today Busta did: “It’s stupid,” he said. He also posted an Instagram thanking everyone who helped “expedite the process.”

“It’s ridiculous, it was literally a bottle of Muscle Milk,” his lawyer said.

Lawyer Scott Leemon is confident the charge will be settled in court. “This is clearly an attempt by someone to take advantage of Busta,” Leemon said. He did nothing wrong. This is a bunch of bull.”

Rhymes is due back in court on 11/6.