The rapper is nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song this year.

Killer Mike returns to Grammys 2 years after getting arrested and escorted out of ceremony

The rapper is nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song this year.

By Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino

Daysia Tolentino is a writer at *. *She has written for * *since 2025. Her work has appeared in NBC News, Vulture, GQ, and InStyle.

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February 1, 2026 10:01 p.m. ET

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Killer Mike attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 1. Credit:

Brianna Bryson/WireImage

Two years after he was arrested during Music's Biggest Night, Killer Mike made his return to the Grammys.

The rapper, whose real name is Michael Render, was arrested and escorted out of the awards ceremony in 2024. He was reportedly booked for a "misdemeanor battery." The Los Angeles Police Department had announced they arrested Killer Mike in connection with a "physical altercation" at the site of the Grammys.

“As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter,” Killer Mike said in statement to the Associated Press at the time. “We experienced an over-zealous security guard but my team and I have the upmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing.”

Render was ultimately cleared of charges. He later sued the private security companies that worked the 2024 awards ceremony. He alleged the firms engaged in false arrest as well as assault and battery, according to *Variety*.

Killer Mike at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 4, 2024.

Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty

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The artist, who is also known for being part of the rap duo Run the Jewels, had won all three awards he was nominated for that night, including Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for the song "Scientists & Engineers," and Best Rap Album for *Michael. *

Render, alongside rapper T.I., was featured on the track "Headphones" by Lecrae, which is nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 2026 Grammys. Check out the full list of winners here.

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Source: “EW Grammys”