Posted by Dave Chappelle has been near-constant internet fodder since Tuesday (May 2) when he was attacked by 23-year-old Isaiah Lee mid-set at The Hollywood Bowl. Lee was immediately tackled and taken away in an ambulance, bloodied and bruised. He was ultimately charged with battery, possession of a weapon with intent to assault, unauthorized access to the stage area during a performance, and commission of an act that delays the event or interferes with the performer.
Dave Chappelle thanked his friends for stomping his Hollywood Bowl attacker, and said he was feeling pretty good. https://t.co/5EDEcw0lBN
— TMZ (@TMZ) May 5, 2022
Following the incident, Chappelle suggested multiple times his friends Busta Rhymes, Jon Stewart and Jamie Foxx were among the many who jumped Lee. But according to spokesperson Carla Sims, he wasn’t serious. Sims says Chappelle went right back to standup mode and joked Busta was “helping stomp” Lee who was armed with a replica gun and real knife. He then called Foxx on stage and thank him for stepping in.
Chappelle was later recorded saying, “How bad does a n-gga have to be that Jon Stewart would stomp him” Sims assures everyone all three comments were said in jest and all part of his “ever-evolving act.”
Dave Chappelle Celebrated Busta Rhymes, Jamie Foxx, Jon Stewart + Friends Breaking Attacker’s Arm
It’s still not 100 percent clear why Lee attacked the famed comedian, but he’s been identified as an aspiring rapper named NoName Trapper with a song called “Dave Chappell.” Chappelle apparently spoke to Lee who did offer a loose explanation, saying he attacked Chappelle to get attention for his grandmother, who’d been forced out of her neighborhood due to gentrification.
While recently at The Comedy Store, he reportedly quipped to Chris Rock,” At least you got smacked by someone of repute. I got smacked by a homeless guy with leaves in his hair!” to which Rock said, “I got smacked by the softest n-gga that ever rapped,” referencing Will Smith.