Killer Mike, the Grammy-winning rapper and member of Run the Jewels, has filed a lawsuit against private security firms S&S Labor Force, Inc. and JRM Private Security. The lawsuit follows his arrest at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, where he won three awards but was detained while trying to reach the red carpet area.
Killer Mike Incident at the 2024 Grammy Awards
According to the legal filing, the security companies engaged in false arrest, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit claims that security personnel “had no authority in law” to detain Killer Mike and “had no reason” to suspect him of any wrongdoing.
The filing states, “Despite Plaintiff’s multiple attempts to clarify his identity and purpose for being in that secured area and his direct need to access the red carpet area for scheduled public statements and to take photographs, Defendants refused Plaintiff any forward movement. When Plaintiff sought to leave the area, Defendants physically assaulted and battered him to prevent him from leaving by grabbing his arm and telling him to remain there.”
Legal Battle and Public Response
The lawsuit further alleges that security personnel “wrongfully detained the plaintiff and confined his movements through physical force,” subjecting him to “emotional distress and public humiliation.” Killer Mike argues that the firms used their position of authority to degrade and embarrass him in public view.
Following the arrest, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement confirming that he had been booked for misdemeanor battery. However, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office later declined to prosecute, recognizing that Killer Mike “had not committed any criminal act.”
Killer Mike, born Michael Render, has since released a song titled “Humble Me” that reflects on the arrest. The track includes lyrics that reference his detainment, such as, “I was sitting there in a room full of cops, like Daniel was sitting with the lions.” The song appears on his album Michael & the Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs for Sinners and Saints.
S&S Labor Force and JRM Private Security have not publicly commented on the lawsuit. Killer Mike is seeking a trial and damages, arguing that the security companies acted without legal justification in detaining him at an event meant to celebrate his accomplishments.