Rapper and activist Killer Mike faced an unexpected twist at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, getting arrested at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles despite celebrating three Grammy wins, including his first in over two decades.
Video footage from The Hollywood Reporter captured the arrest, which occurred after the Grammy Premiere Ceremony where Killer Mike secured his awards. The Los Angeles police detained him around 4 p.m. due to an altercation inside the arena, resulting in a misdemeanor charge. Michael Render, known as Killer Mike, was later released on his own recognizance at 8:37 p.m., with a court appearance scheduled for February 29.
Despite the arrest, the 48-year-old artist didn’t let it overshadow his Grammy success. Winning for Best Rap Performance, Rap Song, and Rap Album, Killer Mike reflected on his life journey. “At 20 years old, I thought it was cool to be a drug dealer. At 40, I started to live with the regrets and the things I’ve done. At 45, I started to rap about it. At 48, I stand here as a man full of empathy and sympathy for the things I’ve done.”
His Grammy wins included “Scientists & Engineers” for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, featuring Andre 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane. The album “Michael” secured him the Best Rap Album award.
Killer Mike, a member of Run the Jewels, previously won a Grammy in 2003 for “The Whole World.” Beyond music, he is known for his activism, addressing issues of racial inequality and social justice. The Grammy-winner has also ventured into television, hosting Netflix’s documentary series “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike” in 2019.
