Rapper Webbie accused of robbery, battery
Nationally known rap artist Webster “Webbie” Gradney Jr. was arrested Wednesday and accused of robbing a woman and kicking her down two flights of stairs at a Baton Rouge hotel, court documents say.
Gradney got into an argument with the woman about 2:30 a.m. at the Chase Suites at 5522 Corporate Blvd., an affidavit of probable cause says.
During the argument, Gradney, who had been already asked to leave the hotel, took $340 from the woman’s purse, then kicked her down two flights of stairs, the affidavit says.
The woman was not injured, police spokesman Cpl. L’Jean McKneely said.
Gradney, 27, was staying with the woman and a group of other people at the hotel prior to being kicked off the property, McKneely said, adding that he didn’t know why the rapper had been asked to leave Chase Suites.
Gradney’s started gaining popularity on the national rap scene in 2005 when his album “Savage Life” debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 Top Albums chart. His single “Give Me That” was a Top 10 hit on the national rap, hip-hop and R&B charts at the time.
The capital city native has collaborated on several occasions with Torence “Lil Boosie” Hatch, another nationally acclaimed Baton Rouge rapper. Hatch is serving time at Angola on a drug conviction.
Gradney, 5748 Glen Oaks Drive, was booked Wednesday into Parish Prison on one count each of simple battery, simple robbery and entering or remaining after being forbidden.