Killer Mike, the hip-hop artist known for his solo work as well as the duo Run the Jewels, has sued a private security company after he was arrested at last year’s Grammys.
The company, S&S Labor Force, has denied wrongdoing and claims “zero involvement” in the incident.
The rapper, real name Michael Render, won three awards at the ceremony, for best rap album, best rap song and best rap performance. But shortly after his wins, as he moved backstage towards the red carpet area, he was arrested and detained after an altercation with what Render later described as “an overzealous security guard”.
In July, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office said it would not file charges against Render over the incident.
Render is now suing S&S Labor Force, alleging false arrest and imprisonment, assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. The lawsuit, quoted by Rolling Stone, alleges that Render made “multiple attempts to clarify his identity and purpose for being in that secured area” but was ignored and restrained.
“Defendants then surrounded plaintiff with multiple security guards and wrongfully detained plaintiff and confined his movements through physical force. Defendants used their position of authority to degrade, embarrass and physically hurt plaintiff in public view, subjecting him to emotional distress and public humiliation,” it states.
Render is seeking a trial, and eventual damages.
A spokesperson for S&S Labor Force, who operate as JRM Security, has responded, saying that while the company employed security guards at the Grammys that year, they “unequivocally state that we had zero involvement in the incident described”.
They added: “S&S Labor Force Inc takes pride in our commitment to ethical practices and the safety of our employees, clients, and guests. We have thorough protocols in place to ensure all actions taken by our security personnel adhere to the law and our company standards. The claim in question appears to be based on misinformation and lacks credible evidence.” The company said they were investigating the allegations.
In July, Killer Mike released a song titled Humble Me which reflected on his arrest, including the lyrics: “I was sitting there in a room full of cops, like Daniel was sitting with the lions / I had to quiet my mind, I prayed and I prayed and I prayed / The liars were lying their lies, I kept on just keeping my faith”. It was included on his most recent album, Michael & the Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs for Sinners and Saints.
