UPDATE: Rapper Killer Mike was released by police after being arrested for misdemeanor battery at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. He was seen in handcuffs being escorted by LAPD officers out of Crypto Arena on Sunday evening after winning three Grammys during the pre-televised portion of the ceremony.
The rapper’s lawyer confirmed to PvNew Sunday evening that Killer Mike was released: “He’s out and will be celebrating his sweep tonight.”
The Hollywood Reporter writer Chris Gardner broke the news of the arrest with his videos of Killer Mike being detained on X/Twitter.
An official tells someone on his team that it’s possible he may be released later tonight from the arena. Unclear if he’s being booked here and what he’s charged with. Trying to find out. #Grammys pic.twitter/undjtECFu1
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 5, 2024
Killer Mike won three awards during the pre-show ceremony, which handed out several Grammys ahead of the main telecast beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT. Gardner’s video posted on X/Twitter showed Killer Mike being escorted by police in handcuffs around 4:22 p.m. PT
Killer Mike won in all three of the categories he was nominated in: best rap song and best rap performance for his track “Scientists & Engineers” and best rap album for “Michael,” his sixth studio album released in June 2023.
His song “Scientists & Engineers” featured André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane. It beat Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar’s “The Hillbillies”; Black Thought’s “Love Letter”; Coi Leray’s “Players”; and Drake and 21 Savage’s “Rich Flex” in the best rap performance race. In best rap song, the track triumphed over “Rich Flex”; Doja Cat’s “Attention”; Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice and Aqua’s “Barbie World” and Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock.”
Killer Mike’s album “Michael” beat Drake and 21 Savage’s “Her Loss”; Metro Boomin’s “Heroes & Villains”; Nas’ “King’s Disease III” and Travis Scott’s “Utopia” in best rap album.
Sunday night marked Killer Mike’s first Grammy Award wins since 2003, when he was first nominated and won for his feature on OutKast’s “The Whole World” in the best rap performance by a duo or group. He was also nominated for best rap song in 2018 for “Chase Me” by Run the Jewels, his hip-hop duo with rapper and producer El-P.
