...http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur28400.cfm

Even though it was a fairly tame (MTV) Video Music Awards by its own standards inside Radio City Music Hall Thursday night, outside it was on and poppin'. Rapper and actor Mos Def was arrested for disorderly conduct after an unauthorized performance in front of the venerable venue. Mos Def, according to authorities, stopped off at RCMH in a flatbed truck around 10 p.m. for an impromptu show for the audience gathered there. An NYPD spokesperson said officers asked him and members of his entourage to shut it down.

But before police took action, Mos Def performed "Katrina Clap," described as a freestyle indictment of the Bush administration's slow response to last year's hurricane victims in New Orleans.

But before police took action, Mos Def performed "Katrina Clap," described as a freestyle indictment of the Bush administration's slow response to last year's hurricane victims in New Orleans.

A source told MTV that officers then approached the rapper demanding the operation be stopped immediately (on the grounds that a permit had not been issued). The order wasn't communicated to Mos Def immediately, so the rapper didn't end his performance right away, the source said. Police then began making arrests, including the rapper, his entourage and his brother. It was unclear whether or not a permit was granted. Meantime, Mos Def was released early this morning, Friday, September 1.

In a statement, Carleen Donovan, Mos Def's publicist, called the NYPD's treatment of the rapper excessive.

"Mos Def was unjustly arrested tonight while performing on a flatbed track in New York City outside the Video Music Awards," said Donovan. "Mos Def was not out to break any laws. His only goal was to heighten the awareness of a serious situation that still exists in our country. He does not want people to forget that although it's one year later, the people and cities hit by the hurricane still need the help of the American people."
thats wats up
[Edited 9/8/06 16:54pm]

That is necessary.

Well, if P. Diddy can roll up on a truck at the VMAs blasting his song, Why can't mos def?

I know, I know the permit thing

That's some cold shit - how you gonna arrest Mos??

Where's Bruce Willis when you need him?

lyecry said:

still tho, he wasnt hurtin nobody

Maybe Mos' music was far too good and the authorities didn't want any decent rap being exposed to the masses for free. P Diddy would have got away with it even without a permit
[Edited 9/2/06 19:16pm]

Ellie said:

I love it, I love it....

Ellie said:

Moonwalkbjrain said:

What he said:

for Mos Def, he did the right thing.
[Edited 9/4/06 13:57pm]

utube vid or performance and arrest http://www.youtube.com/wa...p%2Ecom%2F

Moonwalkbjrain said:

That was really tough to see him being arrested

somebody call homeland security.

Yes, yes! You crack on Mighty Mos! The people's artist

DAMN - that's FUCKED UP!!!

Wow. This is messed-up beyond words. Don't think they'd react the same when it's U2 or Bjork.

MendesCity said:

Neither U2 nor Bjork would have the guts to do what he did.

BlaqueKnight said:

Well, yeah, but my point was that they've both done similar things minus the politics and nothing happened except for the power being shut off.

MendesCity said:

Yeah, that's kinda how it goes. Its the black factor. We become acustomed to it. Mos already knew what was gonna happen but its a beautiful thing that he did it.

BlaqueKnight said:

You're probably right about him knowing about it, and I totally agree that it's a beautiful thing. Too bad it didn't get more coverage.
[Edited 9/9/06 10:48am]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5VXZ1vzJd2g

CinisterCee said:

yea

BlaqueKnight said:

Funny you mention U2 b/c I thought about them when I heard this story. Remember years ago they did a supposedly "surprise" performance on a rooftop in NY? The cops were around but they made no moves whatsoever to shut them down

I think it was all planned & the cops knew it, they made a video out of it for God's sake