Rap artist Memphis Bleek was arrested by police early Thursday after he and another man allegedly beat up a busboy at a Manhattan nightclub.

The 23-year-old victim told police that the assault occurred after he entered a VIP room at the NV club to clean off a table. He claimed the hip-hop rapper Bleek, a protege of hip-hop’s Jay-Z whose real name is Malik Cox -- and Ravelle Talik Smith punched him in the face and head, knocking out a tooth.

Police officers arrested the 25 year old rap artist Bleek, of Monroe, N.J., and Smith, 26, of Queens, at about 1:50 a.m. outside the club after they exited a side door and the victim pointed them out. They were awaiting arraignment on misdemeanor assault charges.