Last night's Grammys awards show was a rollercoaster, to say the least, for Killer Mike. Immediately after he swept all three categories he was nominated in, the LAPD — as they do so well — put a serious damper on the rapper's night, taking him away in handcuffs for what was later revealed to be an unrelated misdemeanour battery charge.
UPDATE (2/5, 10:40 p.m. ET): Killer Mike has issued a statement following his encounter with police on Sunday (February 4) night:
I first want to extend my appreciation to the Grammy’s Committee for recognizing me and my team for the work that went into MICHAEL. We are incredibly proud and are basking in this moment. I am also grateful that one of my prayers has been answered — the day after my Grammy win — I learned that my son, who has been on the list for a kidney for years, finally has a match. Obviously, we are elated.
I do want to note that last night, my team and I fielded a number of calls from concerned fans and colleagues wanting to know if I was OK. I greatly appreciate the concern and support, but I am better than OK. As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter. We experienced an over-zealous security guard but my team and I have the upmost [sic] confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing. Until that time, keep listening to MICHAEL, and keep going after your dreams.
Killer Mike, born Michael Render, dominated the rap categories, netting Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for his collaboration "Scientists & Engineers" with André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane from his new project MICHAEL, which was itself named Best Rap Album.
Render took full advantage of his stage time by delivering a series of increasingly passionate acceptance speeches, in which he told the audience: "I'm a Black man in America, and as a kid I had a dream to become a part of music. And that nine-year-old is excitedly dancing inside of me right now," and, later, "You cannot tell me that you get too old, you can't tell me it's too late, you can't tell me dreams [don't] come true! It's a sweep, it's a sweep, it's a sweep!"
Shortly following his celebratory remarks, he was seen being hauled away in handcuffs, asking the officers, "Are you serious?"
Although there was no confirmation as to what he'd been arrested for in the moment, the LAPD announced late last night that he was booked for misdemeanour battery and was in the process of being released.
So far, Render has mostly refused to comment on the ordeal when asked, telling host Big Tigger of V103's Big Tigger Morning Show that he "hit a speed bump" but returned to the party.
Other big winners of the night included SZA, Victoria Monét, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and boygenius, none of whom have been arrested yet.
