R&B Artist Trey Songz Throws On-Stage Tantrum in Detroit: Video

(Updated) DETROIT, MI — R&B artist Trey Songz threw a tantrum on stage at the Joe Louis Arena Wednesday, lobbing a microphone, speakers and other objects, then allegedly hit a Detroit police sergeant and gave him a concussion. The reason for “Bottoms Up” singer’s tempest was that he was told his time on stage was up, according to media reports.

The artist, whose legal name is Tremaine Aldon Neverson, was taken into police custody after his arrest for assaulting a police officer causing injury, which is punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine, and aggravated assault, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The injured police sergeant was treated at an area hospital and released,

Songz’s rant began about 11:30 p.m. during the fourth annual Big Show at Joe Louis Arena, where he appeared with Chris Brown, Lil Yachty and others. Someone told him his time was up, and when his microphone was cut, he unleashed a string of profanities and racial slurs.

“He was told his set was over, that he would have to get off the stage,” Detroit Police Officer Dan Donakowski said, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. “At which time, he became irate and started throwing objects (from) the stage; speakers, microphones, anything he could get his hands on.”

Officers with the Gang Intelligence Unit, which had been assigned to the show, tried to bring Songz under control. When the police approached the artist to arrest him, he struck an officer with his fist, causing a concussion, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement.

Songz posted a video of the incident on his verified Twitter account.

On Monday, Black Entertainment Television reported that Songz was kicked out of the MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino in Washington, D.C., in early December, though the reason is unclear. An Instagram video on the BET site shows Songz lashing out at police and the hotel.

Songz is scheduled to perform at a similar show Friday at Chicago’s United Center.

Songz, a contemporary r&b singer, songwriter and producer who debuted in 2005, has had five albums that have reached the Top 20 on the Billboard 200 chart, as well as 15 singles that hit the Top 10 of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, according to Billboard. He has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards. He is also an actor and has appeared in prominent roles in the films “Texas Chainsaw 3D,” “Baggage Claim” and others, according to the Internet Movie Database.

Photo by Eva Rinaldi via Flickr Commons