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It seems like it was only an unfortunate matter of time before another party stepped forward with their thoughts on the altercation between Russell Crowe and Azealia Banks. Today, RZA—a friend of Crowe’s and the one who brought Banks to the party—took to Facebook to explain his history with Banks as well as his version of events.


In a detailed post, the rapper and producer takes a rather paternalistic and condescending tone, outlining the apparent many good deeds he’s done for Banks before blaming her squarely for the altercation.

In all caps, he asserts: “THIS IS NOT A RACE OR GENDER ISSUE,” and that he never hard Crowe direct a racial slur at Banks.


Still, two lines in particular give pause as he concludes: “I have a wife, daughters, sisters and females on my staff so I protect women everyday. I pray none of them ever behave the way I witnessed Azealia Banks behaved that night.”

While he’s entitled to feel how he likes, Azealia Banks is none of those things to RZA and it’s doubtful she needed or asked for his protection or his prayers.

At this point, all I can really do is continue to echo the general sentiments I’ve seen about the incident, which is that neither party is likely completely blameless and I hope it’s resolved amicably. Banks certainly has a history of terrible behavior, but I also have a hard time trusting anyone who would voluntarily be friends with Russell Crowe.

On Monday, Banks filed a police report against Crowe.

RZA’s full statement is below: