Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby was arrested shortly before performing in North Carolina earlier this week. The rapper, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, was detained and cited on suspicion of possession of marijuana. Police said Kirk pulled into the coliseum in a white Dodge Charger and when he went inside to perform, they smelled a “strong odor of marijuana” coming from the car. Officers said when Kirk got off stage, they tried to talk to him about the marijuana, but he walked away and refused to talk to them. Police said Kirk was then put in handcuffs and taken to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, where he was issued two citations for misdemeanor possession of marijuana and resist, obstruct and delay. He was later released.
DaBaby was also cited for resisting arrest, a charge he denied. The rapper also claims that police illegally searched his car while he was on stage. DaBaby’s arrest came hours after he partnered with several local groups to make sure hundreds of kids received Christmas presents. Authorities said they’ve opened an internal affairs investigation to determine whether officers followed department policies and directives during the incident.
