On Sunday, Killer Mike was apprehended at the Grammy Awards after the rapper and activist received three Grammys, which marked his first in over two decades.
Mike was handcuffed by Los Angeles police at Crypto.com Arena, as captured in a video published by the trade website The Hollywood Reporter. This occurred shortly after Mike experienced some moments of elation at the Grammys’ Premiere Ceremony on Sunday, where he won multiple accolades in rapid succession.
Officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the police, stated that Mike’s detention at 4 p.m. was the result of an altercation that occurred within the arena.
Requests for a statement via text or email were not immediately answered by a Mike spokesperson.
The 48-year-old Mike stated backstage, “The only thing that limits your age is not being truthful about your age or what you’re doing.” He took home the prizes for best rap album, song, and performance.
He remarked, “At twenty years old, I thought it was cool to be a drug dealer.” I began to live with my regrets and the things I had done when I turned forty. I started rapping about it when I was 45. I stand here at 48 as a man who is empathetic and sympathetic to the things that I have done.
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Mike’s first victory occurred when “Scientists & Engineers,” which won best rap song as well, was recognized for best rap performance. Eryn Allen Kane, Future, and Andre 3000 are featured on the song.
Arrest of Killer Mike at Grammy Awards
Sunday night, Killer Mike was observed being escorted from the Grammy Awards while restrained with restraints.
Breaking: Rapper Killer Mike has been taken away in handcuffs in https://t.co/aF2yiyTHol arena after winning 3 #Grammys during telecast (Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” Best Rap Album for Michael) “Free Mike” someone shouts as he walks past. pic.twitter.com/4epfmzqMt8
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 5, 2024
Chris Gardner of The Hollywood Reporter uploaded a video to X in which he observed police escorting the “Run The Jewels” rapper through Crypto.com Arena.
Statement by the Los Angeles Police Department
According to a statement published on social media by the Los Angeles Police Department, the rapper was apprehended following a “physical altercation that transpired in the 700 block of Chick Hearn Court.” As of Sunday evening, he was “in the process of being released” from custody on a misdemeanor assault charge.
For more information regarding the incident, CBS News contacted the music star’s representatives, the Recording Academy, and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Michael Render, also known as Killer Mike, won all three awards for which he was nominated: Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance for his self-titled 2023 studio album “Michael.”