Rapper and activist Killer Mike was arrested after an altercation with a security guard following his Grammy wins. Mike, whose real name is Michael Render, stated that the security guard was "over-zealous" and contributed to the physical altercation. He expressed confidence that he would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
The incident occurred after Mike's joyous moments at the Grammy's Premiere Ceremony, where he won three awards in quick succession. This marked his first Grammy wins in over two decades. However, he was escorted in handcuffs by the Los Angeles police at the Crypto.com Arena. He was later released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court on February 29.
In a statement, Mike thanked the Grammys for recognizing his work and expressed his elation upon learning that his son, who had been on a kidney transplant waiting list for years, had found a match. He described the moment as a prayer answered the day after his Grammy win.
Mike's Grammy wins included Best Rap Performance for "Scientists & Engineers" and Best Rap Album for "Michael." He also won Best Rap Song for "Scientists & Engineers," which features Andre 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane. Prior to this, his last Grammy win was in 2003 for "The Whole World" in the Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category.
Aside from his music career, Mike is known for his social-political activism. He has been a vocal supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 U.S. presidential campaign and has spoken out against inequality and race relations. He hosted the documentary series "Trigger Warning with Killer Mike" on Netflix, which focused on issues affecting the Black community. Additionally, he made an emotional plea to calm a protest against police brutality in Atlanta.
As Mike awaits his court appearance, he remains confident in his eventual exoneration and continues to be recognized for his contributions to music and activism.