Busta Rhymes charged with assault after allegedly throwing 17-ounce protein container at gym employee

The altercation occurred at Steel Gym in Chelsea, Manhattan

Busta Rhymes (Getty)

Rapper Busta Rhymes has been charged with assault after an alleged altercation in a Manhattan gym with a member of staff.

The 43-year-old, real name Trevor Tahiem Smith Jr, was arrested around 8.30pm on Wednesday after allegedly throwing a protein drink at a Manhattan gym employee, according to the Associated Press.

A spokesman for the New York Police Department says the Brooklyn-born rapper got in a dispute with the employee at Steel Gym in Chelsea that quickly escalated.

Rhymes allegedly threw a 17-ounce cardboard container of protein drink at the man, hitting him in the head.

It is not yet known if there were injuries.

A representative for Rhymes was not immediately available for comment.