Rapper Killer Mike detained by police at the Grammy Awards after collecting 3 trophies

US rapper Killer Mike poses in the press room with the Grammy for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. Photo: AFP

Killer Mike was detained at the Grammy Awards on Sunday (Jan 4) after the rapper and activist won three Grammy awards including his first in more than two decades.

In a video posted by the trade website The Hollywood Reporter, Mike was escorted in handcuffs by Los Angeles police at Crypto.com Arena after some joyous moments for him at the Grammys' Premiere Ceremony on Sunday, where he won his awards in quick succession.

Police spokesperson Officer Mike Lopez said Mike being detained stemmed from an altercation inside the arena around 4pm.

A representative for Mike did not immediately respond to emails or text messages requesting a comment.

"The only thing that limits your age is not being truthful about your age or what you’re doing,” the 48-year-old Mike said backstage. He won for best rap performance, rap song and rap album.

"At 20 years old, I thought it was cool to be a drug dealer,” he said. "At 40, I started to live with the regrets and the things I’ve done. At 45, I started to rap about it. At 48, I stand here as a man full of empathy and sympathy for the things I’ve done.”

Mike’s first win came after he won for best rap performance for Scientists & Engineers, which also took home best rap song. The single features Andre 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane.

He won best rap album for Michael.

Before Sunday, Mike’s last Grammy came in 2003 when he won for The Whole World won for best rap performance by a duo or group.

When he collected third award, the Atlanta-based rapper shouted out "Sweep! Atlanta, it’s a sweep!”

As a member of Run The Jewels, Mike, along with producer El-P, pumped out four critically acclaimed albums. He made noise outside of music as a social-political activist who has spoken out against inequality for Black people, race relations and became a vocal supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

The Grammy-winner hosted Netflix’s Trigger Warning With Killer Mike, a 2019 documentary series about issues that affect the Black community. He also made an emotional plea to calm a protest against police brutality that turned violent in Atlanta. – AP