Killer Mike addresses Grammys arrest, expects to be 'cleared of all wrongdoing'

Killer Mike's triumphant run at the 2024 Grammys took a turn after the rapper was arrested Sunday.

Killer Mike — who won three awards during the pre-show ceremony — was escorted out of the Crypto.com arena in handcuffs by a squad of police officers following his big win, video shared by The Hollywood Reporter's Chris Gardner on X shows.

On Monday morning, the Run The Jewels member, 48, called into the Big Tigger Show on V-103.3 (WVEE-FM) in Atlanta to talk about his Grammy wins and side-step questions about the arrest.

"We hit a speed bump, and then we head back to the party," Killer Mike told hosts Big Tigger and Jazzy McBee. "We gon' get back to the real question. 'How did he do it? Three Grammys — 20 years in the game!"

A Los Angeles spokesperson told USA TODAY on Monday that Killer Mike's detainment stemmed from an altercation inside the arena around 4 p.m. He was booked for misdemeanor battery.

The rapper, whose real name is Michael Render, was released on his own recognizance at 8:37 p.m. and is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 29 in Los Angeles.

In a statement shared by a representative Monday night, the rapper explained the altercation that led to his arrest Sunday evening allegedly took place while he and his team were attempting to go inside the arena.

"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 confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing," Killer Mike's statement reads. "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."

He also thanked the Recording Academy for recognizing his work: "We are incredibly proud and are basking in this moment." USA TODAY has reached out to reps for the Recording Academy.

Killer Mike won Grammys for best rap song and best rap performance for his song "Scientists and Engineers" and best rap album for "Michael."

Cradling his trio of awards after sweeping his nominated rap categories, Killer Mike gave a motivational speech to reporters backstage.

"Keep running your race. If you think you think you can jump 20 feet, jump 40," he said. "It is our responsibility to be grand at everything. … The only thing that limits you is you. The only thing that limits your age is not being truthful about your age."

He added: "At 20, I thought it was cool to be a drug dealer (and) at 48, I stand here a man of sympathy and empathy for the things I’ve done."

Killer Mike last won a Grammy in 2003 for best rap performance by a duo or group for his feature on OutKast's "The Whole World."

Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri and Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY; Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Killer Mike claims 'overzealous security' led to his arrest at Grammys