Famous 90s R&B artist taken into custody for battery following incident with restaurant manager.

Return of the Mack singer Mark Morrison was arrested for battery after allegedly shoving a restaurant manager in Florida on Saturday evening.

The famous British musician, aged 50, known for his popular song released back in 1996, caused a scene at Le Bar à Vin in Palm Beach. As per information from a police report obtained by TMZ, he entered the premises and started shouting and using foul language towards the restaurant’s general manager.

According to witnesses, Morrison, who was apparently angry about an event he was organizing at Le Bar, ended up pushing the manager, Nicola Lavacca, on the upper part of his body. Lavacca chose not to retaliate.

Reportedly, a bystander intervened, separating the two individuals and insisting that Morrison leave the premises. Subsequently, Morrison was taken into police custody for a charge of simple battery.

In a photo obtained by the publication, Morrison , clad in a black shirt, shorts and yellow shoes is seen cuffed outside the restaurant.

He was released on Sunday morning after posting  $1,000 bond.

Return of the Mack singer Mark Morrison was arrested for battery after allegedly shoving a restaurant manager in Florida on Saturday evening

The British hitmaker, 50, is best known for his chart-topping hit released in 1996

An arraignment date has been set for April 15 at the Palm Beach County Courthouse  in West Palm Beach, according to court documents obtained by Palm Beach Daily News. 

A representative for Morrison confirmed the incident to DailyMail.com via a statement and claimed the altercation was ‘racially charged.’

Attorney Rick King said: ‘Mr. Morrison acknowledges a recent legal matter stemming from a dispute over the non-payment of an entertainment fee that led to an allegation of simple battery. 

‘While the situation is unfortunate, Mr. Morrison remains fully cooperative with authorities and is confident that the facts will provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident and vindicate him of wrongdoing.

‘However, it is important to acknowledge that this altercation between Mr. Morrison and the male employee of the Le Bar a Vin, Nicola Lavacca, arose in the context of a racially charged confrontation. 

‘At this time, Mr. Morrison and legal counsel are working diligently to ensure that the facts of the case are fully understood and appropriately addressed.

Mr. Morrison appreciates the support of family, friends, and the community and asks that the public withhold judgment until all facts are presented. He remains committed to resolving this matter responsibly and in accordance with the legal process.’

Morrison had a UK No 1 hit in 1996 with Return of the Mack, with the song hitting number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1997 and deemed one of the defining tracks of 1990s R&B.

However he faced a slew of legal woes along the way. 

In 1997 he was convicted for attempting to bring a firearm aboard an airliner, for which he served three months in jail.

His debut album, Return of the Mack – was released that year and included singles Crazy and Let’s Get Down – although they failed to match the success of Return of the Mack

Return of the Mack went platinum in the US with 1.4million record sales and 2x platinum in the UK with 1,8million units sold.

It was ranked number 318 in Billboard’s 500 Best Pop Songs of All Time in 2023.

Witnesses claimed Morrison, who was reportedly upset over an event he began planning at Le Bar on Friday, then pushed the manager, Nicola Lavacca, in his ‘upper body.’ Lavacca did not fight back – pictured 1990s

Le Bar à Vin in Palm Beach is pictured 

Morrison had a UK No 1 hit in 1996 with Return of the Mack, with the song hitting number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1997 and deemed one of the defining tracks of 1990s R&B – pictured 1996

His debut album, Return of the Mack – was released that year and included singles Crazy and Let’s Get Down – although they failed to match the success of Return of the Mack – pictured 1990s

In 1998 he missed a court appearance for charges related to possessing an offensive weapon and went to Barbados instead. When he returned to the UK he was arrested and taken into custody. He was later cleared of the offensive weapon charge.

That year he was jailed for 12 months after getting a lookalike to perform his court ordered community service following his conviction for affray for his involvement in a brawl that resulted in one fatality

He also got a six month driving ban and £1,380 fine after being caught twice driving without a licence.

During his prison stint Morrison reportedly converted to Islam and attempted to change his name to Abdul Rahman. 

In 2002 he was accused of kidnapping and theft – with a policeman arrested on suspicion of taking a bribe from the singer in exchange for his release on bail. A warrant was later issued for his arrest after he failed to show up in court

In 2004, he was arrested and spent a night in custody following an altercation in which a platinum and diamond medallion was stolen from around his neck at a Leicester nightclub.

He now owns two multi million dollar homes in Florida.

He founded the MackLife record label to combat youth crime through the  Drop the Knife, Pick up the Mic campaign.