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What was supposed to be a celebratory event kicking off the release of a new collaborative album from seminal hip-hop figures Smif-N-Wessun and producer Pete Rock, was reportedly reduced to a fracas due to some annoyed patrons who were denied access to the sold-out venue and the overzealous police who arrived on the scene.
A press release issued by Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock stated that the Brooklyn rap duo and legendary Mt. Vernon producer gave a show at Manhattan venue Tammany Hall Tuesday evening (June 28) to commemorate the release of their joint album Monumental. As the crowd quickly packed the venue, supportive fans were turned away by the club's management and security team.
The release further explains that the denied guests got into a small tiff with the bouncers but was reportedly settled without incident. However, the statement said, a half hour later uniformed New York police officers headed to Tammany Hall and then entered the event.
According to the press release, the officers rushed into the venue and began to mace patrons and then dragged some individuals outside of the club - it also says that the officers were "pummeling" guests of the show outside the hall.
Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock were not harmed by police but the press release did state that friends and families of the entertainers suffered assault at the hands of the law. The group's attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, who was present during the incident further stated, "[the police's] behavior was unjustified, unprovoked, and simply barbaric considering there was no provocation."
Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock held a press conference today at 12pm at New York Criminal Court to tackle all questions regarding the June 28 incident.
We will return with more information as this story develops.
Source: MTV