By Radio.com Staff
RZA has addressed the incident between Azealia Banks and Russell Crowe at which he found himself at the center.
Related: Azealia Banks on RZA: ‘I Can’t be Represented by Some Chump’
In a lengthy post on his official Facebook page RZA writes:
“Normally I don’t respond to negative social media attacks towards me. Yet in this case of Azealia Banks I’m compelled to respond.”
“Firstly I only wish the best for her and any struggling artist in this complex industry,” he continues. “Azealia was brought to my attention while I was casting my next Film Coco. I heard the rumors of her problems in the industry but disregarded them with the rationality everyone is innocent until proven guilty. So my producer and I fought for her to be in the film and we succeeded. During the filming process things ran smooth and she delivered. Thus my only experience with her had been professional. The only brief social moment was at the wrap party. Therefore “I HAD NO REAL EXPERIENCE OF HER SOCIAL BEHAVIOR…”
He goes on to detail the evening in question.
“Before the night is over Azealia is insulting half the room she becomes loud and obnoxious. There was nothing funny about her behavior. I felt a little embarrassed because she was my guest. Still verbal abuse can be tolerated but when it goes physical… Azealia threaten to cut a girl in the face with a glass, then actually grabs a glass and physically attacks for no logical reason. Russell blocked the attack and expelled her from the suite. Seeing is believing and I saw her behave as an obnoxious erratic individual and in the circles I frequent this was unprecedented. I was totally puzzled by her and thought maybe meds or booze or something had her zoned out.”
“THIS IS NOT A RACE OR GENDER ISSUE,” he writes emphatically. “I did not hear Russell call her a N—- I’m not trying to protect Russell from anything he is a man of his own Caliber. My art, talent and success speaks for it self and Azealia’s recent slander of me and self victimization reflect’s the personality of the person that was in that room that night. I have a wife, daughters, sisters and females on my staff so I protect women everyday.”
Read RZA’s full statement below.