Atlanta rapper/activist Killer Mike is making headlines again over the Grammys, but this time not for his music.
The artist is suing two private security firms after his arrest at the 2024 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where he was detained over what he says was an unjustified and overly aggressive encounter.
According to legal documents, Killer Mike was stopped and ultimately arrested while attempting to access the red carpet area during the ceremony.
The incident occurred despite the heightened celebration surrounding his three-award sweep at the previous year’s Grammy Awards.
Security guards from S&S, Labor Force Inc., and JRM Private Security allegedly detained Mike and called the Los Angeles Police Department, leading to the rapper’s arrest on a charge of misdemeanor battery.
In his lawsuit, Mike claims the security companies were operating beyond their legal authority.
“There was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter,” Mike explained after the incident. “We experienced an overzealous security guard.”
The altercation escalated when guards reportedly grabbed Mike’s arm to prevent him from leaving the area. The legal complaint further alleges false arrest, assault, and battery against the rapper, stating that the guards had “no reason” to suspect him of any criminal wrongdoing.
It highlights that the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office ultimately declined to charge Mike, affirming he had committed no criminal act.
Released from police custody just hours after being detained, Mike didn’t let the experience pass without reflection.
Last July, the rapper dropped a personal track titled “Humble Me,” which includes a verse referencing his arrest.
Though the lawsuit is making its way through the courts, Mike’s team maintains that the incident was entirely avoidable and unnecessary.
The legal filings insist that S&S, Labor Force Inc., and JRM Private Security played a pivotal role in escalating what should have been a minor miscommunication into a major inconvenience for one of Hip-Hop’s prominent voices.
The 2024 Grammy Awards sought to honor artistic achievement, yet the arrest of an artist lauded the year prior has drawn attention for all the wrong reasons.
For now, Killer Mike is using the legal system to address what he considers a blow to not just his dignity but also the standards expected at such a storied event.