Johnny Reed McKinzie, better known by the stage name Jay Rock, was arrested last night in Watts, Los Angeles, for firearm-related charges and trespassing.
Los Angeles Police Department reported the arrest at the 13000 block of E. 115th Street, near Nickerson Gardens, the neighborhood the rapper was raised in. Police initially arrested the rapper for alleged trespassing at an apartment complex. Police state the rapper attempted to flee in his vehicle when officers approached but was subsequently arrested. A gun was later found in his vehicle, which added to the count of felony weapons.
LAPD booked the 39-year-old rapper on suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm and he is in police custody, according to the most recent reports. Authorities have yet to make further information available about his legal proceedings.
Jay Rock is one of the most notable hip-hop artists and is most commonly known for being part of record label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Some of hip-hop’s most notable faces have worked with him, including the collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, and he was the driving force behind the creation of the West Coast hip-hop scene.
His most notable achievement was in 2019 when he won the Grammy Award for “King’s Dead,” the track on the Black Panther soundtrack. Alongside Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake, the track was highly acclaimed and catapulted him into the music scene. That same year, the key to his hometown, Watts, was awarded to Jay Rock for his music and community achievement. Thus far, neither Jay Rock’s representatives nor he himself have released an official statement regarding the arrest.
