Afroman to settle suit filed over Mississippi assault, song

BILOXI, Miss. – Musician and rapper Afroman is settling a lawsuit filed by a woman he punched during a 2015 Mississippi performance.

WLOX-TV reports that the performer, also known as Joseph Edgar Foreman, is settling a civil lawsuit filed by Florida woman Haley Byrd.

Afroman earlier pleaded guilty to assault charges for punching Byrd after she got on stage during a Mardi Gras performance at a Biloxi nightclub.

Byrd later sued Afroman, seeking damages for injuries. She also claimed Afroman defamed her by writing a song about the assault called “Stay off the Stage.”

Tim Holleman is Byrd’s lawyer. He says a settlement will be signed next week, averting a trial. Holleman says details won’t be released until all parties have signed.

Holleman says Byrd earlier settled a lawsuit against the nightclub.

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Information from: WLOX-TV, http://www.wlox.com