Tyler the Creator was arrested last week by Austin police and charged with inciting a riot at SXSW. According to the charge sheet, the Odd Future rapper encouraged fans to push their way into a crowded venue that was already at full capacity. The rapper's attorney, Perry Q. Minton (who has the most attorney-ish name we can think of), released a statement in which he defends Tyler as "not a violent individual" and openly questions what constitutes a riot. Read it below:
"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."
Stereogum have posted footage of the riot on their Instagram account, which you can watch below to make up your own mind. What do you think – does this look like a riot to you?
