RZA Refutes Azealia Banks' Claim That Russell Crowe Attacked Her

Azealia Banks accused Hollywood actor Russell Crowe of assaulting her earlier this week, claiming that Crowe choked her, spat on her, and called her the N-word. It was later alleged that Banks filed a formal battery report following the incident, and had cut ties with RZA, the Wu-Tang rapper she claimed was going to sign her, and the one who brought her to Russell's party.

RZA has now shared his side of the story, publishing a detailed account of his recent history with Azealia in a Facebook post. According to him, Crowe did not attack Azealia, but rather stopped her from attacking a woman with a glass after she threatened to cut her face. He also suggests that he never heard the actor use the N-word.

Read an excerpt from RZA's account below.

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 puzzles by her and thought maybe meds or booze or something had her zoned out. Nevertheless I made sure she got home safe. THIS IS NOT A RACE OR GENDER ISSUE. I did not hear Russell call her a N::gg:::: I'm not trying to protect Russell from anything he is a man of his own Caliber.

Elsewhere in the post, RZA claims that Azealia was never signing a deal with him, though he was orchestrating her partnership with a label.

She then followed up asking me to help her get a record deal. I called a friend and bong a record deal was on the table. The only clause my buddy gave was I be the filter because the word is "she is volatile". I called her and told her a deal was in the workings. She immediately, prematurely went to social media and claimed she signed a deal with RZA Yet no deal was signed.

Read his full post below.

Update: RZA has now spoken to TMZ, further elaborating on the events. According to RZA, Russell Crowe DID spit at Azealia once he had taken her outside. However, he says that the actor did not choke her or use the N-word as she claims. He did see him "carry her" out. "To me she was attacking Russell," he said. "He deflected it, grabbed her, took her out. She had some-- there was some more arm swinging. It was like a 7-second thing ... he just expelled her out of the room." RZA maintains that he has "love" for Azealia, who he has been working with as the lead actress in his upcoming film.