Killer Mike Breaks Silence After Grammys Incident

Killer Mike has broken his silence on being detained at the Grammys on Sunday (Feb. 4). The Grammy-winning rapper spoke to TMZ about the incident at the award show.

"As you can imagine, there was a lot going [on], 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," he said.

Mike was accused of knocking down a female bodyguard according to an account by the arena employee per Rolling Stone. She claimed that the rapper pushed her down and she had injuries to her hand and fingers due to the incident.

The rapper is currently facing a misdemeanor battery charge for the incident. He was detained at the award show shortly after securing three Grammy wins. Mike was released from police custody soon after on his own recognizance.

Moments before the altercation, the rapper was basking in his Grammy wins. Mike took home all three Grammys he was nominated in. He won Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for "Scientists and Engineers," the song featuring André 3000, Future, and Eryn Allen Kane, as well as Best Rap Album for Michael.

Videos flooded social media of Mike being walked out by police.

"At around 4 p.m., an individual was detained at [Crypto.com Arena] for a physical altercation," a LAPD spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. "The individual is currently being questioned. I cannot confirm the identity of the individual until the person is charged. The investigation is ongoing."

A source told the publication that it is a "misdemeanor and has nothing to do with anything that happened today here inside the arena. Likely he will be released once it’s sorted. 'It’s a big nothing.'"

Mike is scheduled to make a court appearance on February 29.

Hip-Hop and R&B artists showed out at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards red carpet. From Victoria Monét to Tyla, these artists did not come to play. The award show airs live (8:00-11:30 PM ET/5:00-8:30 PM PT) on CBS and will stream on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

SZA leads with nine nominations, making her the most-nominated artist in all categories. She is nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for "Kill Bill" and Album of the Year for SOS. Additionally, she has earned nominations for Best R&B Song ("Snooze"), Best Progressive R&B Album (SOS), Best Traditional R&B Performance ("Love Language"), Best Melodic Rap Performance ("Low"), Best R&B Performance ("Kill Bill"), and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ("Ghost in the Machine"). So far, the New Jersey native has won for Best Progressive R&B Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Behind SZA is Victoria Monét, with seven nominations. She's earned nominations for Best New Artist and Record of the Year for "On My Mama," as well as categories such as Best R&B Performance ("How Does It Make You Feel"), Best R&B Album (Jaguar II), Best Traditional R&B Performance ("Hollywood"), Best R&B Song ("On My Mama"). So far, she has won Best R&B Album for Jaguar II.

Trevor Noah is hosting the award show for the fourth time in a row. Noah was also a nominee tonight for Best Comedy Album for Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would.

"It's a combination of remembering all of the preparation, thinking hard about what we're there to do and then remembering how many people have worked hard to make the show what it is," he told Billboard. "So I'm in my head, I'm preparing for every contingency that I cannot prepare for and just trying to be ready for anything that could possibly go wrong in any possible moment."

Take a look at the best-dressed hip-hop and R&B stars below: