Killer Mike has been arrested following an alleged altercation at the Grammys just hours after winning three awards.
TMZ obtained footage of both the alleged incident and arrest, which saw Mike escorted out of the awards ceremony in handcuffs on Sunday (February 4). However, he was later released from custody.
According to the outlet, the rapper was booked on a battery charge through a citizen’s arrest after he allegedly got into a physical altercation with a security guard.
TMZ claim that Mike knocked down a security guard for not moving out of his way.
While the clip does not include evidence of Mike knocking down anybody, it does show the Run The Jewels rapper in a face off with a number of security personnel.
In the video of Mike being led away by police, one bystander can be heard shouting “free Mike.”
Breaking: Rapper Killer Mike has been taken away in handcuffs in 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
Earlier in the evening, Killer Mike picked up three Grammy Awards, sweeping every category he was nominated in.
His song “Scientists & Engineers,” featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane, won the awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.
He won his third award for Best Rap Album for his solo LP Michael, which was also crowned the Best Rap Album of 2023 by HipHopDX.
When receiving his trophy, Mike said: “This is for all the people who think you’re too old to rap… we keep Hip Hop alive. Never ever stop doing what you do.”
Killer Mike Defends Rap Album of The Year Title
Xzibit called for an explanation as to why the Atlanta rap veteran was taken in by police, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “It’s absolutely necessary to find out who made that call and why they arrested or detained @KillerMike after his well deserved sweep of the rap categories at this years Grammys. Congratulations are in order @KillerMike but we MUST find out who did this bullshit.”
Stephen A. Smith also compared the situation to the infamous Will Smith slap on Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, saying: “To be clear, I am not advocating that Will should’ve gotten arrested. But that happened in LA, too.
“So if Will could be left alone, how come they couldn’t wait until AFTER the Grammy’s to deal with Killer Mike? Why ruin his evening over an alleged misdemeanor but leave Will alone over a flagrant assault??? What’s different?”
Killer Mike has not yet commented on the incident and neither have the Recording Academy.
