The private security company sued by Michael Render, also known as Killer Mike of Run the Jewels, is denying allegations that its guards illegally detained the Atlanta rapper, who was arrested at the 2024 Grammys, and is considering suing for defamation.
S&S Labor Force, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, said that it “can unequivocally state that we had zero involvement in the incident” described in Render’s lawsuit, which it said is “based on misinformation” and “lacks credible evidence.” It added, “We are currently investigating the source of these allegations and are prepared to take appropriate legal action to address any defamation.”
THR broke the story last year that Render, fresh off of sweeping the rap category at the awards show, was detained inside Crypto dot com Arena following a scuffle with a security guard. Rolling Stone later cited a source who claimed that Render pushed a female security guard to the ground after she requested to see his ticket as he made his way from the Grammy’s premiere ceremony at Peacock Theatre over to the primetime telecast inside the venue. The woman reportedly suffered injuries to her hands and her fellow security guards stepped in to detain the rapper. He was then escorted in handcuffs from outside the arena to a private room inside Crypto where he remained for more than an hour during the show while authorities sorted out the situation, with members of his team huddled outside.
During an appearance days later on The View, Render said he had already moved on by that point. “Backstage was overcrowded, the winners were exuberant, and I think security got a little overzealous. It’s water under the bridge for me,” stated 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 same dignity and respect that I walked in with, and I would implore people to just take that from it. Don’t dwell on the bad stuff.”
On Monday, Render filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against S&S Labor Force, which does business as JRM Private Security and describes itself as the “largest live broadcast security company in the U.S.”, for civil rights violations, false arrest, assault, battery, and negligence, among other claims. He accuses the company’s guards using excessive force to detain him and instigating his allegedly false arrest by LAPD.
The complaint details the lead-up to Render being escorted out of Crypto.com Arena in handcuffs. After winning all three major rap awards, he and his team attempted to traverse from the media center to the red carpet area. He was stopped by security despite having the required credentials and, when he tried to leave, S&S guards allegedly grabbed his arm and demanded that he stay. Other guards proceeded to surround him, with the purpose of detaining him until law enforcement arrived, the lawsuit says. Render alleges that he was placed under citizen’s arrest under false pretenses.
The rapper was arrested and stayed in jail for several hours until the event ended. Los Angeles prosecutors declined to charge him.
The lawsuit says Render was “deprived of the valuable opportunity to be present at the awards ceremony where he was scheduled to appear on primetime television in front of a huge international audience to appear and speak and be recognized on the telecast for his historic achievements.” He seeks unspecified damages.
A spokesperson for S&S confirmed that the company had guards at the Grammys last year but that they weren’t involved in the incident.
It’s unknown if another security firm was contracted to handle the 2024 Grammys. The Recording Academy, which hosts the event, and lawyers for Render didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Chris Gardner contributed to this report.
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