Joey Bada$$ Facing Assault Charges After Allegedly Punching Security Guard at Australian Festival

Update: A representative for Joey Bada$$ has offered the following official statement: “There was a misunderstanding with security at the Byron Falls Festival show, which resulted in charges being laid by NSW Police. After fully cooperating with Police, Joey was granted bail and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.”

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Joey Bada$$ has been charged with assault after allegedly punching a security guard in the face at an Australian music festival January 2, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The alleged incident took place just before the 19-year-old Brooklyn rapper’s 8:30 PM set at the Falls Music Festival near Byron Bay, in New South Wales, Australia.

According to a police spokeswoman, Joey Bada$$ struck the security guard after being approached shortly before his performance, reportedly breaking his nose and incurring other facial injuries. Authorities arrested the rapper after he finished his one-hour set and charged him with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, a police spokeswoman stated that Joey Bada$$ “was refused bail and appeared at Lismore Bail Court on Saturday [January 3]” before being released. He has since continued his Australian tour as scheduled, with a future hearing scheduled for March 19.

 Joey Bada$$’s debut album, B4.DA.$$, comes out on January 20. He previously shared singles “Curry Chicken” and “Big Dusty”. 

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