Mos Def is most definitely coming up short on his child support.
The actor and rapper yesterday said he is doing his best to make the $10,000 monthly payment to his estranged wife, but business problems and obligations to his other children have left him in a bind.
After Mos Def, whose real name is Dante Smith, filed for divorce from his wife Maria Yepes-Smith, a judge ordered him to pay $10,000 monthly to support their 7- and 8-year-old daughters.
Since the order went into effect Jan. 1., Mos Def has come up short both times, by about $2,000.
“It’s the best he can do under the circumstances,” said Steven Goldfeder, Mos Def’s attorney, during a hearing in Brooklyn Supreme Court. “He has several children. He’s always provided for them.”
Mos Def, a Brooklyn native, has three other children, the lawyer said.
Though Mos Def declined to comment after the hearing, the rapper had a hard time staying quiet in front of the judge.
“I’m the only person who’s providing for my children,” Mos Def said after Judge Sarah Krauss asked his lawyer why the performer wasn’t complying with the order.
The “Def Poetry Jam” host later interjected with several comments on the issue of home schooling. Goldfeder said his client’s payment should be reduced because Yepes-Smith reneged on a promise to home school the girls.
“Please tell your client not to talk anymore,” said Krauss, who also told the lawyer to file an amended claim that specifies grounds for divorce.
Krauss also chided Mos Def and his lawyer for not filing papers sooner.
Yepes-Smith declined to comment on the divorce proceedings, but her lawyer, Karen Blaustein, expressed doubts about Mos Def’s alleged business problems.
“I’ve been seeing him in these commercials with Bruce Willis for his new movie,” Blaustein said. “I’m sure he made enough money to pay his child support for his 7- and 8-year-old daughters.
Mos Def is starring in a new action thriller, “16 Blocks,” set for release next month. He plays a witness fighting for his life as he prepares to testify in a corruption case.
He has been nominated for Emmy, Tony and Golden Globe awards.