Rapper iHeartMemphis (born Richard Maurice Colbert) was arrested in Florida on Tuesday (Feb. 10) on a pair of charges following a bizarre standoff with SWAT team members.
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According to NBC6, the “Hit the Quan” rapper barricaded himself inside a home and livestreamed a portion of his exchanges with police and authorities outside the residence, which he’s reportedly been renting in Plantation, Florida.
With officers unable to detain Colbert (formerly iLoveMemphis) on Monday, law enforcement called in the SWAT team, which apprehended the rapper around 3:45 a.m. ET early Tuesday.
Jail records show that iHeartMemphis was booked on charges of written threats to kill and resisting an officer without violence.
“There’s a rapper that was renting this house, and apparently he was having some kind of an episode,” Homeowners Association president Hank VanBaalen told NBC6. “They had the cops here, and then I got a call from one of my neighbors that they were back here [on Monday] during the day.”
TMZ captured a portion of iHeartMemphis’ livestream on Instagram, which saw him insulting various members of law enforcement. A Tesla vehicle appeared to be crashed through the garage door as well.
“Get away from my house. I don’t need help, I need water. Not Coca-Cola, not f—ing AIDS and red meats. I’m God. Look at me walk across this f—ing grass. I’m fast like lightning, I will speed off on your cracker a–,” he said.
The 32-year-old was asked if he had thoughts of harming himself of others. “No, what the f— I’m gonna do that for. No stupid [expletive],” he replied. “I don’t want to hurt nobody or myself. I am not Kanye.”
iHeartMemphis is best known for his 2015 debut single “Hit the Quan,” which was inspired by Rich Homie Quan’s dance in his “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” music video.
“Hit the Quan” hit the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 15. Later in 2015, the smash hit and its viral dance craze earned the Memphis rapper a deal with Barry Weiss/SONGS Music Publishing’s indie label RECORDS.
Billboard has reached out to the Plantation Police Department for comment.
