While we realize finding gainful employment can be tough if your resume is limited to making mundane hip-hop albums, we were still perplexed to find that A Tribe Called Quest ringleader Q-Tip has decided to sign on as muscleman for Leonardo DiCaprio's ever-growing entourage.

In keeping with his reputation for spreading messages of peace and brotherhood, the rapper allegedly decided to bring together his fists and the face of photographer R.J. Capek, who was trying to snap DiCaprio's mug at a Manhattan nightclub last week. Capek, who said he had his camera snatched in addition to suffering a few bruises, notified cops, who whisked Q-Tip into a police lineup at the First Precinct in Lower Manhattan.

Capek gave a positive I.D. on the rapper, who was then charged with third-degree assault -- which, in a legal system as busy as Gotham's, only qualifies as a misdemeanor. The lensman also intends to file a civil suit against Q-Tip.

DAVID SPRAGUE