Los Angeles prosecutors have decided not to file charges against Atlanta-based hip-hop artist Killer Mike following an alleged altercation at the Grammy Awards in February 2024. The City Attorney’s Office announced on Monday that the rapper, whose real name is Michael Render, had successfully completed their hearing process, including a mandatory community service requirement.
The incident occurred on February 4 at the Crypto.com Arena, where Killer Mike, 49, was celebrating winning three Grammy awards. Law enforcement sources had initially reported that the rapper allegedly pushed and elbowed an event worker who was trying to direct him to a security checkpoint. The worker initiated a citizen’s arrest, resulting in the booking of Killer Mike for battery.
Killer Mike’s legal counsel, Michael A. Goldstein, stated that “criminal charges were not warranted” and confirmed that the artist has been cleared. The rapper himself had previously attributed the incident to an “over-zealous security guard” and “some confusion around which door my team and I should enter.”
The Grammy-winning artist, known for his intellectual approach to hip-hop and his role in the duo Run the Jewels, had won awards for best rap performance, best rap song, and best rap album for his sixth studio album, “Michael.” His success continued with a recent win for album of the year at the BET Awards on Sunday.
This resolution comes as a relief for Killer Mike, allowing him to move past the legal concerns and focus on his musical career and advocacy work. The incident and its resolution highlight the complexities that can arise at high-profile events, as well as the importance of conflict resolution processes in the entertainment industry.