Rap Artist Killer Mike Won’t Face Charges After Grammys Arrest

Rap artist Killer Mike won’t face charges after the rapper was arrested at the 2024 Grammy Awards following his victories in several categories in the pre-awards ceremony.

Prosecutors with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office said charges will not be filed against the rapper — whose real name is Michael Santiago Render — the Hollywood Reporter reported. In February, Render was arrested at the pre-show ceremony and charged with misdemeanor battery in connection with an alleged physical altercation between him and a security guard, the outlet noted.

“Mr. Render has successfully completed the Office’s Hearing process, including a community service requirement that was imposed,” per Ivor Pine, a spokesperson for the L.A. City Attorney’s Office said. “We have no further comment at this time.”

Rapper Killer Mike expected to avoid charges after Grammys arrest https://t.co/Gfkc2q9tJr

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On February 4, the outlet reported Render’s arrest and posted a video on X showing the rapper being escorted away from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where the Grammys were taking place. The rap artist was led away in handcuffs. A person can be heard shouting, “Free Mike!” as police escort the rapper from the scene, as previously reported.

Per TMZ, the arrest had to do with Render allegedly becoming physically aggressive with a security officer. He stands accused of knocking the guard down when that individual did not move out of Render’s way quickly enough.

Two days later, the rap artist released a statement saying his arrest had been a result of an “over-zealous” security guard, the outlet noted.

“As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter,” the statement read. “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,” 

When he later went on “The View,” he talked to co-host Sunny Hostin about the arrest and incident.

“Backstage was overcrowded, the winners were exuberant, and I think security got a little overzealous. It’s water under the bridge for me,” Mike said. “All of my heroes have been in handcuffs — [Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Medgar Evers].”

“I walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it,” he added. “Don’t dwell on the bad stuff.”

The night of the Grammy Awards, Render won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for his track “Scientists & Engineers,” which features fellow recording artists Andre 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane. He also won Best Rap Album for “Michael.” 

His last win was for “The Whole World,” a collaboration with Outkast, in 2003.

Amanda Harding contributed to this piece.