Last week, just a few days after three people were killed in a hit-and-run at Austin's SXSW Music Festival, Odd Future leader Tyler, The Creator was arrested after he encouraged fans to burst into an at-capacity venue, causing a riot. Though the 23-year-old is now free on a $25,000 bond, he and his lawyer are denying that he caused any sort of riot at the gathering.
According to Tyler, The Creator (né Tyler Okonma) and his lawyer, tagging the incident at his March 13 performance at the Scoot In as a "riot" is an exaggeration and stretch by the media.
"At no time during the... concert did Tyler seek to incite or participate in riotous activity as has been reported in the press. 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," the statement reads.
Furthermore, the lawyer insists that Okonma is not a violent person and would never put one of his fans at risk.
Read the full lawyer's statement below, via Stereogum:
"At no time during the... concert did Tyler seek to incite or participate in riotous activity as has been reported in the press. 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... 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... Tyler is not a violent individual and would never deliberately engage in any activity that would put another person at risk of being hurt."
Though his intentions may not have been malicious, there's no denying that Okonma encouraged people to dangerously pack in to the 999-person venue last Thursday. According to a video posted to Stereogum, he told people "Just run in right now, just go!"
Soon, people fall and topple over each other while yelling "Push! Push! Push!"
Seems a bit like a riot to us...
© 2024 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
