Rapper Killer Mike was seen being walked out of the Grammy Awards in handcuffs Sunday night. Though it was not immediately clear why he was being arrested just before the Grammys broadcast began, the Los Angeles Police Department later released details about the misdemeanor charges.
In a video uploaded to X by The Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner, the “Run The Jewels” rapper was seen being escorted through Crypto.com Arena by police.
The LAPD said on social media that the rapper was taken into custody because of a “physical altercation that occurred at the 700 block of Chick Hearn Court.” They did not provide details on when that incident happened or what the circumstances were.
“The suspect was placed under arrest and was transported to LAPD Central Division,” police said in a statement Monday.
“The suspect has been identified as 48-year-old Michael Render and booked for Misdemeanor Battery,” the statement said, adding, “Render has been released on zero bail.”
CBS News reached out to the music star’s representatives, the Recording Academy, and the LAPD for more details about the incident.
Just a short time before being detained, Killer Mike, aka Michael Render, swept all three categories he was nominated in: Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album for his self-titled 2023 studio album “Michael.”
He took the stage to accept them in the portion of the Grammys ceremony that took place before the prime-time broadcast began.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
“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.
Beating rap heavyweights like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Nicki Minaj, Killer Mike’s wins Sunday — which were awarded before the prime-time Grammys broadcast began — marked his first Grammy trophies in over 20 years. He previously won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 45th Grammy Awards for Outkast’s “The Whole World.”
“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.
