Killer Mike arrested after allegedly pushing Grammy security guard – Billboard

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A brief argument between Killer Mike and Grammy Awards security staff over access credentials led to the Atlanta rapper’s arrest Sunday night, a source close to the situation says. Billboard.

The incident took place outside the Peacock Theatre, where many of the awards were announced and presented on Sunday, before the main televised ceremony took place inside Crypto.com Stadium.

About an hour after Killer Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, won three Grammy Awards for rap song of the year, rap performance of the year for “Scientists & Engineers” and rap album of the year for Miguel, Render left a secure area at the Peacock Theater and then attempted to return with several people, according to the source. Security stopped Render as he attempted to re-enter the secure area, the source says, and staff there demanded to see his access credentials. Render then shoved a private security officer who prevented him from returning to the Peacock Theatre, the source says. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the incident and handcuffed Render after learning that the security officer wanted to press charges against Render.

“The suspect was arrested and transported to the LAPD Central Division,” explained a statement provided to Billboard At the time. Render was charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and was released without bail.

As of press time, neither the rapper’s representatives nor the Recording Academy had responded to requests for comment.

On Monday morning (February 5), Render downplayed the incident while appearing on V103’s Big Tigger morning show. When host Tigger asked “what happened” on Sunday night, Render referred to it as a “slow down” on an otherwise monumental night.

“I won a Grammy,” Render said. “We party all night. Shout out to my record label. Nothing had happened, man. But we, the winners. That’s all.”