Busta Rhymes is one of the most flamboyant personas in hip hop. For the past week, rumors have flown around campus about the possibility of him headlining the annual Fall Concert. Although he has yet to sign any sort of formal contract, the word has spread like an Ole Lion's roar throughout the Stav Dining Hall. His appearance would coincide with the promotion of his new album Anarchy. It is the fourth album from a man who has elevated hip hop from the streets to the stadium. Maybe you've seen his advertisements for Mountain Dew, or perhaps you have spotted him on the cover of Yo!, Rap Pages, or Essence.

More likely though, you've seen Rhymes in the news. It seems as though he has a little experience to back up his lyrics. On Aug. 2, 1999 Rhymes was faced with a paternity suit in North Carolina. The results of a blood test proved that he was the father of a one-year-old girl. Although Rhymes had been paying a small amount of voluntary child support, the mother of their daughter sought out an increase because of his high income level.

On Mar. 17 of this year Rhymes was charged with violating a restraining order. The order was put in place as a result of numerous alleged phone threats to his ex-girlfriend.

Just earlier this week, on Monday, Oct. 9, Rhymes received five years probation on a gun possession charge for carrying an unregistered, .45-caliber pistol in his 1995 Mercedes-Benz. If convicted in a trial, Rhymes could of faced up to seven years in prison for this offense.

Does this seem to be the right fit for a concert at St. Olaf? While many are excited about his appearance on campus because he is well-known, they fail to see a past scattered with many scandalous events.

There are a plethora of other hip hop artists out there ­ who don't have criminal records ­ who would still attract drones of B96 fans to the Pause. Even some of the other prospective acts would be an improvement. The committee was on the right track with their attempts to lure Wyclef, Blues Traveller, and Rusted Root ­ all of which seem like a better fit for St. Olaf.

Ultimately, the decision rests on the shoulders of the Pause Executive Staff. But we are optimistic ­ with all of our burly Pause security guards, there shouldn't be a problem.