LOS ANGELES: The Grammy Awards took an unexpected turn on Sunday as renowned US rapper and activist Killer Mike, also known as Michael Santiago Render, was detained and escorted out of the Crypto.com Arena by Los Angeles police. This surprising development occurred after the artist secured three major Grammy victories earlier in the evening.
A video shared on social media by The Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner captured the moment Killer Mike was led away in handcuffs, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding his arrest during the prestigious awards ceremony.
The arrest, reported to have transpired around 4 pm, followed an alleged altercation within the venue, as confirmed by a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman speaking to the Associated Press.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Killer Mike and his collaborators had a triumphant evening at the 66th edition of the Grammy Awards. The rapper clinched significant victories, earning the Grammy for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” along with the Best Rap Album for “Michael.”
These wins mark Killer Mike’s return to Grammy success, a notable achievement since his last recognition in 2003 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his work on the hip-hop duo OutKast’s “The Whole World.”
Known for his vocal advocacy on social justice issues, Killer Mike has been an influential figure in discussions about race relations and the treatment of Black individuals in the United States. His detainment adds a surprising twist to an evening that initially celebrated his contributions to the music industry.
In 2019, Killer Mike hosted the Netflix documentary series “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike,” exploring issues affecting the Black community. The circumstances surrounding his arrest are expected to be a focal point of discussion in the aftermath of the Grammy Awards.
