Pass the Courvoisier—Busta Rhymes is breathing a big sigh of relief.
A New York judge formally sentenced the Big Bang rapper to three years' supervised probation and 10 days of community service for roughing up his former driver and a fan in two separate assault cases.
Jennifer Kushner, spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, says that Rhymes (whose real name is Trevor Smith) was also ordered to pay a $1,250 fine along with court costs, and enroll in a drunken-driving program.
"There are some stipulations," Kushner told E! News. "He may associate with his brother, who's a convicted felon, and he may travel for work. But he may only associate with other felons only if he's performing with them, but he may not travel with them."
The hip-hopster had been dinged with four separate offenses over the past year and a half. The first came in August 2006, when he attacked a young fan who spat on the rapper's SUV. The second came in December of that year, after he was accused of repeatedly punching and kicking his ex-chaffeur in a dispute over money. The final two were for driving with a suspended license and drunken driving.
Just in case Rhymes thought he was getting off easy, Manhattan Criminal Court judge Larry Stephen reminded the rapper of the seriousness of the two misdemeanor assault charges he copped to in January to avoid going to trial.
"If you mess up, you're going to jail," Stephen said. "I've given you a chance."
The judge also kept in place a protection order prohibiting him from going near his former driver Edward Hatchett, 39.
The emcee—who eschewed his typically eye-popping attire for a more traditional gray suit and gray and lavender tie—told reporters after the hearing he was extremely grateful for the break.
"I have no trouble being a good dude, because that's what I am," he said. "I couldn't feel better, and this couldn't have happened at a better time. I thank the judge for giving me a chance, and I thank everybody for being supportive."
Rhymes' attorney, Scott Leemon, said outside the courtroom that his client would fulfill his community service obligation through a program organized by a private agency named Rock Corp.
As part of the deal, the Brooklyn-born performer was forced to surrender his license and enroll in court-sanctioned drunken-driving education classes. However, Kushner said Rhymes still has to pay a $165 surcharge when he returns to court for an update on the DWI program on May 16.
Rhymes, who added that he's looking forward again to "having fun, making music, running around and showing love," still faces a civil suit from the salivating fan.
Roberto LeBron, 20, is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the injuries he sustained in the confrontation with the "Gimme More" rapper.