The non-public safety firm sued by Michael Render, also referred to as Killer Mike of Run the Jewels, is denying allegations that its guards illegally detained the Atlanta rapper, who was arrested on the 2024 Grammys, and is contemplating suing for defamation.
S&S Labor Power, in a press release to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, stated that it “can unequivocally state that we had zero involvement within the incident” described in Render’s lawsuit, which it stated is “primarily based on misinformation” and “lacks credible proof.” It added, “We’re presently investigating the supply of those allegations and are ready to take acceptable authorized motion to deal with any defamation.”
THR broke the story final yr that Render, contemporary off of sweeping the rap class on the awards present, was detained inside Crypto dot com Area following a scuffle with a safety guard. Rolling Stone later cited a supply who claimed that Render pushed a feminine safety guard to the bottom after she requested to see his ticket as he made his means from the Grammy’s premiere ceremony at Peacock Theatre over to the primetime telecast inside the venue. The girl reportedly suffered accidents to her palms and her fellow safety guards stepped in to detain the rapper. He was then escorted in handcuffs from outdoors the world to a personal room inside Crypto the place he remained for greater than an hour throughout the present whereas authorities sorted out the scenario, with members of his workforce huddled outdoors.
Throughout an look days in a while The View, Render stated he had already moved on by that time. “Backstage was overcrowded, the winners have been exuberant, and I believe safety acquired somewhat overzealous. It’s water underneath the bridge for me,” acknowledged the rapper, producer and activist. “All of my heroes have been in handcuffs — [Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Medgar Evers]. I walked out with the identical dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I might implore individuals to simply take that from it. Don’t dwell on the unhealthy stuff.”
On Monday, Render filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Courtroom towards S&S Labor Power, which does enterprise as JRM Personal Safety and describes itself because the “largest stay broadcast safety firm within the U.S.”, for civil rights violations, false arrest, assault, battery, and negligence, amongst different claims. He accuses the corporate’s guards utilizing extreme power to detain him and instigating his allegedly false arrest by LAPD.
The criticism particulars the lead-up to Render being escorted out of Crypto.com Area in handcuffs. After successful all three main rap awards, he and his workforce tried to traverse from the media middle to the crimson carpet space. He was stopped by safety regardless of having the required credentials and, when he tried to go away, S&S guards allegedly grabbed his arm and demanded that he keep. Different guards proceeded to encompass him, with the aim of detaining him till legislation enforcement arrived, the lawsuit says. Render alleges that he was positioned underneath citizen’s arrest underneath false pretenses.
The rapper was arrested and stayed in jail for a number of hours till the occasion ended. Los Angeles prosecutors declined to cost him.
The lawsuit says Render was “disadvantaged of the precious alternative to be current on the awards ceremony the place he was scheduled to look on primetime tv in entrance of an enormous worldwide viewers to look and converse and be acknowledged on the telecast for his historic achievements.” He seeks unspecified damages.
A spokesperson for S&S confirmed that the corporate had guards on the Grammys final yr however that they weren’t concerned within the incident.
It’s unknown if one other safety agency was contracted to deal with the 2024 Grammys. The Recording Academy, which hosts the occasion, and attorneys for Render didn’t reply to requests for remark.
Chris Gardner contributed to this report.
