Following his set at Lollapalooza on Friday afternoon, Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes says that he and his girlfriend/collaborator Samantha Urbani were assaulted by festival security. During his performance, Hynes says he gave a speech about “police brutality and racism,” while wearing a homemade shirt that featured the names of victims of such events, including Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin.
“I was jumped by three security guards and Samantha was touched by security” Hynes said on Twitter. “We are hurt. We played your festival @lollapalooza. Everyone saw it. We are pressing charges, I can’t believe it. I’m so upset. Why is this still happening? I just want to make music.”
Hynes said later that one of the guards alleges that he was also assaulted by Hynes. After speaking with Lollapalooza, Urbani clarified that the guards were private security hired for the stage and weren’t officially affiliated with the festival. This follows just over a month after the Cupid Deluxe singer’s allegations of racism at an airport in Germany.
According to Pitchfork, Lollapalooza released an official statement on the matter Saturday morning.
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“Late Friday night, we learned of an incident involving an artist and a security guard on site,” the statement began. “Since then, we have been in contact with those involved and the authorities, as we work together to resolve the situation. As always, our top priority is to ensure the safety of everyone at the festival.”
Below you can read Hynes and Urbani’s full accounts of the incident on Twitter, and you can see the t-shirt that the songwriter was wearing at the time of the altercation.
Samantha & I made this T-shirt which I’m wearing today. The set is dedicated to these names & more. We remember. pic.twitter.com/si4ndgDrK1
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 1, 2014
Samantha and I just got assaulted by the security. We are about to press charges
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
They grabbed her I asked what they were doing and they grabbed my neck and threw me to the ground, then two others joined in on me
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
I’m in pain, what the fuck. The irony after my t shirt and message this morning, we are in shock
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
Everyone saw it. We are pressing charges, I can’t believe it. I’m so upset. Why is this still happening? I just want to make music
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
I WAS JUMPED BY THREE SECURITY GUARDS AND SAMANTHA WAS TOUCHED BY SECURITY. WE ARE HURT. WE PLAYED YOUR FESTIVAL. @lollapalooza
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
I gave a speech on racism and police brutality and then I am jumped by three security guards and my gf is assaulted. @lollapalooza
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
Apparently people are tweeting & writing on @lollapalooza Facebook page and they keep deleting the comments
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
If they’re doing this to the musicians playing, then how have they been treating all the attendees throughout the day?
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
Ps. One of the security guards is claiming that I assaulted him which is insanity. If you saw the incident please get in touch. Thanks.
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) August 2, 2014
Shaking/crying feeling extremely violated &generally unsafe, beyond sad we missed the eminem show we were so psyched 4.
— samantha urbani (@SamandudeBITCH) August 2, 2014
Insane how nightmare situations can just come in2 action so suddenly. Being assaulted by security &watching them attack Dev- so traumatizing
— samantha urbani (@SamandudeBITCH) August 2, 2014
Terrifying thinking about if Dev was attacked like that & had a physical disability- like a heart problem, or ASTHMA #RIPEricGarner
— samantha urbani (@SamandudeBITCH) August 2, 2014
Rly not trying 2be 2self victimizing btw- this has shaken me so deeply bc this shit happens 2 ppl on all levels, constantly- feels endless
— samantha urbani (@SamandudeBITCH) August 2, 2014
BTW after talking w lollapalooza ppl we’ve discovered the guards who assaulted us were NOT lolla staff, but privately hired for that stage.
— samantha urbani (@SamandudeBITCH) August 2, 2014
