Rapper Busta Rhymes, who has steadfastly remained tight-lipped about the murder of his bodyguard at a music video shoot in Brooklyn, got a loud and clear message from Police Commissioner Ray Kelly yesterday – start singing to cops or else.
“Come in and tell us everything you know about this homicide. It’s as simple as that,” Kelly said,
If not, Kelly said, the singer could be forced to rap to a special grand jury about the murder of bodyguard Israel Ramirez, who was slain in a hail of bullets outside a Brooklyn music studio on Feb 5.
“We are exploring with the district attorney the possibility of an investigative grand jury,” Kelly said.
An investigative grand jury, which has the power to subpoena, is usually convened when witnesses are reluctant to come forward and talk.
Recently, an investigative grand jury helped crack the case of murdered Connecticut football star Mark Fisher, who was killed after a party in Brooklyn in 2003.
Two hoodlum buddies were later convicted and sentenced to life behind bars.
Rhymes was shooting a music video featuring Mary J. Blige. Missy Elliott and DMX.
Cops are investi gating whether an argument between producer Swizz Beatz and rappers Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks – members of 50 Cent’s posse, G-Unit – led to the shooting.
Yesterday Kelly said, “We believe he [Rhymes] was present at the scene, and we want to know everything he knows about this homicide,” Kelly said yesterday.
“It is not that difficult to figure out someone who worked for you is murdered in front of you,” the commissioner said.
“Quite frankly, I find it quite disturbing. This individual was shot in front of a lot of people, in essence after a pushing match. There are several witnesses. We have found lack of cooperation from those who were there.”
Kelly said that detectives still have video from the commercial music shoot to review and will subpoena any additional footage that might shed light on who killed Ramirez. Rhymes has been contacted through his attorney to talk to cops, but has not.
A law-enforcement source said that Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes and Kelly would meet next week.
“It’s really up to the police commissioner. An investigative grand jury works when there are a lot of people who are not cooperating,” the source said.
The DA’s office refused to comment.