The rapper Tyler the Creator got arrested on Saturday March 16 at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas, for “inciting” a riot at the Thursday SXSW concert. Police reports stated that while Tyler was performing he yelled into the crowd screaming “all y’all outside the gates y’all push through.” After he said that fans immediately reacted and tried to push through the gate but couldn’t get through. Then Tyler yelled out again saying “y’all push through, come on get in.” That’s when all the chaos began, instantly fans began to push through the gates and finally got through. This is what the police considered a riot. After all the fans ran through the gate police didn’t do anything. But then the venue cut off the sound because the scene “became violent.” They then turned the sound back on and Tyler finished his set. According to the Austin Police Department, Tyler was charged with Riot-Class A Misdemeanor and is on bond of $25,000.

Tyler’s lawyer Perry Q. Minton, told Associated 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.” He also said “At no time during the concert did Tyler seek to incite or participate in riotous activity as has been reported in the press.” Minton also said that the police misunderstood Tyler’s intensions and that he’s in no way a violent person. However according to the Austin Police Department, Tyler was charged with Riot-Class A Misdemeanor and is on bond of $25,000. He also has the potential of facing up to a year in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted.

Getting arrested and being put on bond obviously doesn’t stop Tyler the Creator. On Tuesday March 18^th, he performed for the first time in Tampa at The Ritz in Ybor. When the doors opened at six, the line was already down the side of The Ritz and out on the road.. During his performance Tyler constantly interacted with the crowd, getting them hyped. The concert lasted just a little over an hour, but was filled with excitement and extreme joy.