BUSTA MAKES TV TRIBUTE TO SLAIN BODYGUARD

[obi_ton]

Rapper BUSTA RHYMES has spoken out about the death of his pal ISRAEL RAMIREZ for the first time, insisting the bodyguard was shot dead on the set of a video aimed at hip-hop peace. Rhymes appeared on US cable channel BET's 106 + PARK yesterday (07MAR06) to debut the video, TOUCH IT, which has left a sour taste in his mouth. The rapper started off his interview by offering his public condolences to the bodyguard's family. He said, "I want to start this show off by sending a big shout-out to the children of Israel Ramirez. I want to give a big shout-out to his wife." And he explained the irony of his new video, which he shot to try and bring ongoing rap wars to an end. He explained, "I want people to really understand that the focus primarily on shooting this video was to present the balance. "For a while it has just been a whole lot of extra unnecessary beef. I'm about feel-good energy in music." Rhymes said it was important that his video air to honour his late pal. He revealed, "It was a beautiful day. I felt it would be an injustice in the demise of my good friend if we didn't show the world that what we was doing in no way shape or form was advocating violence." Police are still investigating the shooting.