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USA TODAY

Rapper Killer Mike won't be charged over 2024 Grammy Awards arrest

KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY
Updated
3 min read

Killer Mike will not face charges related to his arrest following an alleged physical altercation at the Grammy Awards in February.

Ivor Pine, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles City Attorney's office, said in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday that the 49-year-old Run The Jewels rapper, whose real name is Michael Render, "has successfully completed the Office’s Hearing process, including a community service requirement that was imposed."

TMZ was first to report the news.

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A rep for Killer Mike confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday that prosecutors would not be pursuing charges but declined to comment further on the matter. USA TODAY has reached out to the attorney's office for comment.

Killer Mike addresses Grammys arrest during BET Awards 2024

Killer Mike won the album of the year award for "Michael" at the 2024 BET Awards on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Killer Mike won the album of the year award for "Michael" at the 2024 BET Awards on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles.

After winning the album of the year trophy for "Michael" at Sunday's BET Awards, Killer Mike addressed the significance of returning to the Peacock Theatre, where he had been arrested four months prior.

"Technically, I was not supposed to be here. I was put in handcuffs and I was marched out of this building. But I want to tell you, look at God because I'm back, baby. I'm back and I'm winning," he said in his acceptance speech. "And I want to tell y'all Black people that because of BET I'm back. Not 'cause of no white person calling nobody. A Black man runs this business; a Black company puts this show on."

He also encouraged viewers to vote in local elections if they want a say in what happens in the city government.

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Killer Mike followed his big win by releasing his new single "Humble Me," which reveals how he dealt with his arrest by turning to his faith.

Killer Mike said security was 'a little overzealous' at the Grammys

A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson told USA TODAY on Feb. 5 that Killer Mike's detainment stemmed from an alleged "physical altercation" at L.A. Live, where the Grammy festivities were taking place. He was detained, booked for misdemeanor battery and released of his own recognizance.

The following week, he discussed the incident during an appearance on "The View."

Killer Mike said he could not talk with too much specificity about the incident because it remains an ongoing legal matter, but he explained that "backstage was overcrowded," the "winners were exuberant" and "security got a little overzealous." He also described the episode as "water under the bridge."

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Killer Mike's arrest: Rapper said he expected to be 'cleared of all wrongdoing'

"All of my heroes have been in handcuffs," he said, earning applause from the audience. "Malcolm. Martin. Mandela. Medgar. 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. Don't dwell on the bad stuff."

During the 2024 Grammys, Killer Mike won best rap song and best rap performance for "Scientists and Engineers," while "Michael" earned the trophy for best rap album. Prior to this, he was last recognized by the Recording Academy in 2003 for his feature on OutKast's "The Whole World."

The Atlanta-born rapper has a number of domestic and international performances lined up through October, including at San Francisco's Outside Lands music festival and Lollapalooza in Chicago.

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Contributing: Brendan Morrow

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Killer Mike won't be charged in Grammy Awards altercation

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