10:27 AM PT -- As Maino was preparing for his future Oscar night, Buba100x broke his silence on YouTube and as suspected, the stories don't really align.
Buba admits to pushing Maino's buttons during the interview and getting hands wrapped around his throat but never agreed the skit was preplanned.
The 18-year-old is now taking a glass-half approach to the situation ... calling the incident a minor setback for a major comeback.
Maino is maintaining his now viral throat grab of YouTuber Buba100x was completely planned ... and, in fact, he says his theatrical performance should be his big break in Hollywood!!!
We caught the BK-bred lyricist fresh off his guest hosting gig on Angela Yee's 'Way Up,' and he tells us Buba100x intentionally failed to post the choke out ... in order to make folks think it was authentic. No one would flaunt themselves getting genuinely beat down ... right?
The incident happened a couple of weeks ago during the most recent Daniel's Leather fashion show ... Maino is seen slowly losing his temper as the vlogger continues pressing him to try on his chain, only to see the rapper grab him firmly by his throat!!!
Maino says jaws were dropping at the party because he and Buba100x sold it so well.
Social media users haven't reacted kindly to Maino's actions -- prank or not -- but he assures us he's not worried about backlash because that's what the internet does ... no matter what.
What Maino's not opposed to, is extending his stay on 'Way Up' to a more permanent situation.
He says Angela called him an on-air "natural," and having that kinda finesse is vital for a radio career.
Originally Published -- 12:30 AM PT