S. Samuel
Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly stirred up his hometown this weekend after getting publicly arrested for flash mobbing at his local SouthPark Center mall.
The arrest took place Saturday (August 20) evening at the Cleveland mall.
Cleveland rapper “Machine Gun Kelly” was arrested Saturday after inciting a flash mob at South Park Mall, Strongsville police said. Officers responded to the mall after being tipped off about a possible flash mob taking place at 5 p.m. Although he was asked by the SPD to refrain from standing on a table, Baker did it anyway, sending his die-hard fans into a frenzy. A YouTube video shows the rapper jumping up on a table with a megaphone in the food court, but just as soon as he was up, police officers yanked him down. (WJW-TV)
Despite his arrest, MGK became a free man hours later.
Amid chaotic scenes, shown in video posted on YouTube, Strongsville police arrested a shirtless Baker when he refused to get off a table. He was later charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct. The charges, however, did not appear to faze the 21-year-old rapper, who signed with major hip-hop label Bad Boy records earlier this month. After being released Saturday night, he posted on Facebook, “If havin fun with my fans and bringin the rage back to my hometown means I have to be arrested…then keep pullin the cuffs out.” (Fox News)
Kelly also took to Twitter to update fans on yesterday’s whereabouts.
“If we get arrested for attempting a flash mob, just know we did it like #powerRAGERS. Costume swag!! #LTFU http://t.co/9O07Lrg,” he tweeted Saturday (August 20).
“MGK and the boys they are good in a holding cell with Strongville PD, he said ‘LACE UP!’ Look for update soon – MGK Mngmt”
“they free’d the EST boys, no more holding cell. #shoutout to all the #powerRAGERS in the mall today!! LTFU http://t.co/fDGolwY” (Machine Gun Kelly’s Twitter)
Flash mobs reportedly date back to nearly ten years ago.
The first flash mob was created in Manhattan in May 2003 by Bill Wasik, senior editor of Harper’s Magazine. His first attempt was unsuccessful after the targeted retail store was tipped off about the plan. Waik was persistent and set up a second flash mob on June 3, 2003. He sent participants to preliminary staging areas — in four prearranged Manhattan bars — where they received further instructions about the event and location just before the event began. As the people gathered in the lobby and mezzanine of the Hyatt hotel, they told curious salespeople they were shopping for a “love rug” and they made all their purchase decisions as a group. At the prearranged time, 200 people simultaneously applauded for about 15 seconds. (Times-Standard)
Check out footage from the flash mob below:
