Killer Mike on Grammy lawsuit: ‘I ain’t talking about none of that.’

When reached by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for comment on the suit, Killer Mike put it bluntly: “I ain’t talking about none of that.”

In the complaint obtained by the AJC on Wednesday, the Atlanta artist and entrepreneur, whose legal name is Michael Render, is suing the company over the following claims: false arrest and imprisonment, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and negligent hiring, supervision and retainment.

S&S Labor Force used its authority to “degrade, embarrass and physically hurt” Render, subjecting him to “emotional distress and public humiliation,” according to the suit.

“Defendants wrongly caused Plaintiff to be falsely arrested and had him placed in jail during the remainder of the Grammy Awards Ceremony,” the suit states. “Plaintiff was therefore deprived of the valuable opportunity to be present at the awards ceremony where he was scheduled to appear on prime-time television (Killer Mike has previously said that he was supposed to share the stage with Jay-Z during the 2024 show) in front of a huge international audience to appear and speak and be recognized on the telecast for his historic achievements.”

Killer Mike’s Los Angeles-based attorney, Miles Feldman, did not initially respond to messages Tuesday about the complaint, but when reached Wednesday morning, he said, “It’s really early in the morning here, and I cannot talk,” before hanging up the phone.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Killer Mike says he still suffers from severe emotional distress from the incident, per the suit. He is seeking unspecified damages to be decided at trial.

S&S Labor Force, which does business as JRM Private Security, “has consulted and directed safety and security services on some of the largest events in the nation,” according to its website.

Roger G. Honey, the attorney for the firm, told the AJC that the company was contracted for last year’s Grammys but had no involvement in the incident.

It’s unclear whether there was another security company contracted for the event. The Recording Academy didn’t immediately respond to questions seeking more information.

“S&S Labor Force and none (of) its employees had anything to do with and were not present when Mr. Render was initially detained, was escorted away … nothing to do with it,” Honey said. “We’re confident about that. I don’t know how Mr. Render got the name, but it was not my client.”

Honey added: “If this case goes any further, there are going to be some claims made against Mr. Render and his attorney.”

‘Three Grammys good’

Killer Mike was a big winner at last year’s Grammy Awards, sweeping his nominations. He won for best rap album, best rap song and best rap performance — all presented during the preshow ceremony on Feb. 4, 2024, at Peacock Theatre.

Shortly after, he was taken away in handcuffs after allegedly getting into an altercation with a security guard. He was later arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department and booked on misdemeanor battery. No charges were filed.

At the time, Killer Mike told the AJC, “Overzealous security, but I am good … three Grammys good.”

In July, he officially addressed the incident in a song titled “Humble Me.”

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

“I won at the Grammys for spitting my grammar / Did that for Atlanta, bruh / Swept up like a janitor, got sent to the slammer bruh,” he rapped.

Although Killer Mike refused to talk to the AJC about the lawsuit, he shared his thoughts about this year’s ceremony. He was proud of Doechii, a Florida native who won best rap album.

“I’m very proud as a Southerner that the South kind of won back-to-back between me and her. I remember when we weren’t even considered,” he said.