Tyler, the Creator Arrested at SXSW

Tyler, the Creator was arrested in Austin on Saturday for allegedly inciting a riot during South by Southwest, the Associated Press reports.

Police told the news agency that during a performance on Thursday, the Odd Future rapper had exhorted fans to push their way past employees controlling entrance to the venue, which was already at capacity. Local news station KXAN reports that Tyler had yelled into the crowd waiting outside the Scoot Inn, “All y’all outside the gates, y’all push through.” As he kept urging the crowd to push their way in, he also apologized to the venue’s employees, one of whom told the news station that he had been punched in the face by a member of the crowd. 

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The 23-year-old rapper was arrested without incident on a misdemeanor riot charge. His bond has been set for $3,500. A representative for Tyler, the Creator declined to comment.

Early on Thursday morning at SXSW, two people were killed and 23 were injured when a man drove his car into a crowd at the festival after crashing through a temporary barricade. The incident occured outside the Mohawk, where the punk band X were performing. A crowd of people outside had been waiting in line for Tyler, the Creator’s show, which was subsequently canceled. The rapper later tweeted, “Show Isnt Happening, Something Sad Happened. I’m Bummed. Fuckk man.”

In February, Odd Future were banned from entering New Zealand to play Eminem’s Rapture festival because immigration 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.”