Charlotte rapper DaBaby was detained by police and given citations for two misdemeanors last night after a concert at Bojangles’ Coliseum.
Police say DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk,was detained in the parking lot of the venue. He was handcuffed and taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office in uptown and cited with possession of marijuana and resisting/obstructing before being released.
In video posted to Twitter by WSOC, DaBaby says he feels targeted “every time” he performs in his hometown.
“They follow me, they pull us over for no reason, they search our cars, they do everything — they treat us like animals,” he said.
CMPD Capt. Brad Koch said Tuesday that officers working at the venue saw DaBaby arrive as a passenger in a car. As he entered, police said they smelled pot coming from the car. Officers then looked into the car and saw marijuana "in plain view."
After DaBaby was done performing, about 11 p.m., Koch said police tried to talk to the artist but he walked away and refused to speak to them. That's when he was handcuffed and police searched the car, allegedly finding marijuana. DaBaby was taken from the east Charlotte venue to the sheriff's office.
Koch says officers initially planned to arrest DaBaby but let him leave after issuing the two citations. The police department says it's investigating whether the officers followed protocol.
DaBaby, whose profile has rapidly risen over the past year, is nominated for two 2020 Grammy Awards for his hit song “Suge.” Monday's performance was a makeup appearance for a show missed Dec. 5.
TV stationWCNC reports the hip-hop star passed out toys to underprivileged families in the hours before the show.