An attorney for Tyler the Creator has denied accusations that the rapper urged audience members to riot during a show at South By Southwest on 13 March.
In a statement released to the Associated Press, Perry Q Minton said that his client would not deliberately put fans at risk, and states that the accusations were “an unfortunate and inaccurate description of what occurred”.
“At no time during the … concert did Tyler seek to incite or participate in riotous activity as has been reported in the press,” the statement reads. “It is clear from video clips and witness reports that the patrons and fans attending the show on that date were full of positive energy appropriate for this type of event and never exhibited any anger or aggression whatsoever.”
According to Travis county police, Tyler Gregory Okonma provoked the crowd during his daytime gig at Austin’s Scoot Inn. Attendance at the show had been capped at 999 people, with barriers and security limiting further entrance to the venue. Tyler reportedly called on fans to push their way inside: a video released by local officials appears to show the 23-year-old at a microphone, shouting, “Just run in right now … Do it! … Push! Push! Push!”
The Odd Future rapper was arrested on a warrant Saturday at the airport as he left Austin to perform a show in Dallas. The act of inciting a riot carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. The bond was set at $25,000.
Although there is no official apology from the rapper, Minton said what police characterise as a riot was simply “benign, boisterous activity” and assured that his client had no intention of provoking violence.
“For law enforcement or the media to describe the rush of fans through the gate and the subsequent benign, boisterous activity as a riot is an unfortunate and inaccurate description of what occurred,” he wrote.
“Tyler is not a violent individual and would never deliberately engage in any activity that would put another person at risk of being hurt.”
