Rapper Killer Mike reportedly left Sunday night’s Grammy Awards in police custody, despite clinching three major prizes for rap music, according to eyewitnesses.
The Los Angeles police provided no official statement, and two on-duty press officers claimed to have no information. Social media footage depicted Killer Mike being escorted, hands cuffed, through the Crypto.com Arena concourse.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, citing an arena security official, Killer Mike was detained for an unspecified misdemeanor charge unrelated to the Grammy Awards.
Earlier in the day, Killer Mike and collaborators secured Grammy wins for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance with “Scientists & Engineers,” along with Best Rap Album for “Michael.”
“I’m a Black man in America, and as a kid I had a dream to become a part of music. And that 9-year-old is excitedly dancing inside of me right now,” he said in one of his acceptance speeches Sunday.
Surpassing rap heavyweights like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Nicki Minaj, Killer Mike’s victories on Sunday, awarded before the prime-time Grammys broadcast, marked his first Grammy trophies in over two decades. His earlier win was for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 45th Grammy Awards with Outkast’s “The Whole World.”
Beyond his musical accomplishments, Killer Mike, born Michael Render, is recognized for social activism on issues like racism and police brutality. Despite multiple requests for comment, his agent and publicists have not responded.
“You cannot tell me that you get too old, you can’t tell me it’s too late, you can’t tell me dreams come true! It is a sweep, it is a sweep, it is a sweep!” he exclaimed after he danced around the stage with his third Grammy of the night.
