Tyler, The Creator Arrested For Riot at SXSW
Tyler, The Creator, lead rapper of the alternative music collective Odd Future, was arrested at South By Southwest in Austin on Saturday for inciting a riot.
According to CBS, police allege that 23-year old Tyler Gregory Okonma "encouraged behavior causing an immediate danger and injury to persons" at a performance on Thursday. The rapper encouraged fans to push their way into the already packed to capacity venue.
"All y'all outside the gates, y'all push through," he reportedly yelled as scores of people pushed into the gate past employees.
One bartender claimed that he had to protect a woman from the riotious crowd. Another employee was reportedly punched in the face. Tyler later apologized to the staff for the incident.
Tyler was later arrested at Austin-Bergstrom Airport and charged with a Class A misdemeanor. His bond was set at $3,500. If convicted, Tyler faces up to a year in prison and a $4,000 bond.
An earlier set by Odd Future was canceled following the incident in which a man drove his car past a barricade and into a crowd at SXSW. Two people died, with 23 more injured.
"Show Isnt Happening," Tyler tweeted. "Something Sad Happened. I'm Bummed"
Odd Future has been involved in several public incidents in the past. As reported in this article by the Rolling Stone, immigration officials in New Zealand banned the group from entering the country to participate in Eminem's Rapture festivals. Officials "deemed [them] to be a potential threat to public order and the public interest for several reasons, including incidents at past performances in which they have incited violence."
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