Tyler The Creator issues statement on SXSW “riot”, video footage of incident emerges

Odd Future leader Tyler The Creator was recently arrested for “inciting a riot” at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin. Having been released on bail, the rapper has now addressed the issue in a statement.

In a press release from Tyler’s attorney, the hip-hop upstart denies trying to cause carnage, instead arguing that fans were “full of positive energy”. He goes on to say that neither he nor the festival-goers “exhibited any anger or aggression whatsoever” and that such accusations are an “unfortunate and inaccurate description of what occurred”.

You can read the full statement below, along with video footage of the incident courtesy of Stereogum:

“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.”