Johannesburg – American rapper Busta Rhymes, known for his energetic performances and fiery lyrics, found himself in a heated situation after a member of his team had their iPhone stolen during his performance at the Liv Nightclub in Sandton on Saturday night.
The incident occurred after the rapper had delivered a thrilling set at the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival in Kyalami, where he had touched down in South Africa on Thursday.
The stolen iPhone 12, valued at R14 000, was reported missing by one of Busta Rhymes' team members, leading to a frantic search party at the nightclub. The rapper, clearly incensed by the theft, took matters into his own hands, stopping the party to publicly address the alleged thief.
"If you took the iPhone 12, you're a p**y, literally!" Busta Rhymes declared in a video posted on social media.
Busta Rhymes generously offered R90,000 to anyone who returns a lost phone to a woman in a club in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/3tVZOKKxiQ
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) September 22, 2024
He then offered a substantial reward for the return of the phone, stating, "$5,000 to the person who returns this lady's iPhone. Please bring it back and do the honourable thing. Let's represent the African people the way we are supposed to."
The rapper's frustration escalated, his voice rising with anger as he continued, "I want that iPhone 12. F**k you! I'm not joking, either. I'm smiling because I'm happy."
The video, which quickly went viral, captured the rapper's raw emotion and determination to recover the missing device.
The theft occurred during Busta Rhymes' performance at Liv Nightclub, a popular venue in Sandton known for its upscale clientele and vibrant atmosphere. It remains unclear exactly how the phone was stolen, but the incident has raised concerns about security at the nightclub and the potential vulnerability of high-profile individuals attending events.
Liv Nightclub has not yet commented on the incident. However, the video of Busta Rhymes' impassioned plea for the return of the phone has sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. While some users expressed sympathy for the rapper and his team member, others questioned the validity of the reward offered and the potential for the incident to be exploited.
The theft of the iPhone, which Busta Rhymes claims contains valuable information, has highlighted the risk of theft, even in seemingly secure environments.
