Clipse group member
Malice was arrested at the University Mall in Tampa, Florida on Saturday (August
10th) and charged with trespassing and later released on $500 bond.
Clipse was in
Tampa headlining The Grindin Rap Tour, which also features rappers Midwikid,
Lady May and Rob Jackson. The group stopped at the mall before a performance
at club V.I.P. in Tampa to shop. During the time at the mall, the group’s DJ,
No Doubt said that people were seeking autographs from Malice, well known due
to the success of the hit single "Grindin."
As the group was
leaving the mall around closing time, Malice obliged some young girls seeking
autographs. "All I wad doing was signing autographs," Malice told
AllHipHop.com. "I think it’s f*cked up, the cop knew what he was doing.
"All he saw was a buncha black people in a huddle. Everyone knew who I
was, and I know he felt stupid, especially when his co-workers knew the song
and wanted autographs too."
"He was signing
the autographs when police came up and was like you gotta leave," Road
Manager Big D added. "Then they pushed him in his back and it escalated
cause they put their hands on him."
To back up their
claim of racism, all that were present said the arresting officer, a Hillsborough
Sheriff County Deputy allegedly taunted group members. "They were like
we already hit him twice, what are yall going to do about it?" the group’s
DJ No Doubt said. No Doubt said the officer wouldn’t explain why Malice was
being arrested. He was handcuffed, officers went through his pockets, took his
phone and his wallet and proceeded to arrest him. "We had to do the show
without him," Big D continued. "This happened around 9 P.M., and he
wasn’t released until 5 A.M. the next morning. We are looking into legal action."
"I was just
sorry that I didn’t get to the show, but my family held it down and the fans
weren’t disappointed," Malice said.
At press time,
there was no comment from representatives at the University Mall or the arresting
officers.
The Clipse latest
album, Lord Willin hits stores August 20th.