Busta Rhymes Kicked Off Movie Set by NYPD

Order of Redemption a film which started shooting on Saturday, will be without cast member and rapper Busta Rhymes, at least in New York. The New York Police Department, citing security concerns, forced the production company to begin shooting without Rhymes.

Last year, the rapper - real name Trevor Smith - angered the NYPD by not cooperating in the investigation of the murder of Israel Ramirez, his bodyguard. The shooting occurred outside a studio where Rhymes was filming a music video. No one was ever arrested or charged for his murder.

Julianne Cho, an associate commissioner with the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, confirmed that the movie had begun shooting, but did not provide many details. "The production agreed that Busta Rhymes would not be participating in the scenes shot here after the Police Department raised public safety concerns," she said in a statement.

The police department did not reveal any details of what their specific safety concerns were, and forwarded all requests to the mayor's office. But it was clear from reactions from Rhymes' associates that the entire situation, in their minds, was overblown.

"This is tremendously unfair to Busta, who has been nothing but professional during this project," said Jeff Celentano, the movie's director, in a statement. "This is a bigger loss for the city of New York." According to movie representatives, the production has acquired all permits necessary to film in New York, and had - prior to this incident - been receiving full support from the police.

This spat with law enforcement is nothing new for Rhymes, who has been involved in several legal mishaps with the NYPD over the years. Rhymes was arrested and briefly jailed in February after he was pulled over by police after running a red light and was found to be driving with a suspended license. Scott Leemon, Rhymes' attorney, said another incident, in August, was nothing but "payback by the NYPD." In addition, police officials say Rhymes has beaten a former driver in a dispute over money, and talked on a cell phone while driving.

Rhymes has previously appeared in movies such as the 2000 remake of "Shaft," but is best known for hits like Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See and Dangerous.Order of Redemption is scheduled to shoot for fourteen days in New York. In addition to Rhymes, the movie stars Academy Award nominee Tom Berenger.

Sources:

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17571391/
www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--people-rhymes0310mar10,0,6457270.story