A 2015 Migos concert in Albany ended in a riot, and now the venue wants the rappers to pay.
On Monday, Albany Basketball & Sports Corporation, owners of the Washington Avenue Armory, filed suit against the rap trio accusing them of inciting a violent riot, according to court docs.
The suit alleges that during the early hours of March 7, 2015, the group — which consists of Quavo, Takeoff and Offset — “caused a riot” at the venue that “caused patrons to be stabbed, robbed, beaten, severely harmed and injured as the defendants continued to incite a select group of individuals to continue the onslaught of attacks, assaults and destruction of the premises.”
The venue’s owners also claim that Migos skipped an agreed-upon meet-and-greet and showed up hours late for the show, which was supposed to start at 9 p.m. When they did arrive, they were accompanied by “an entourage that appeared intoxicated, wreaked of marijuana and reportedly under the influence of other controlled substances.”
During the actual concert, Migos are accused taunting the already-agitated crowd, encouraging them to “fight, ‘give them hell’ and kick ass.” Migos and their entourage are also alleged to have joined in on the fighting themselves.
“Despite the severity of the incident the defendants were seen laughing and egging the crowd on as metal gates were ripped from the ground and thrown into the crowd,” the suit claims.
The venue owners are seeking damages, claiming that the fight, and resulting publicity, caused it to lose its liquor license and incur costs because of damaged property and shows they were forced to cancel.
The Alt, the local alt-weekly that broke the news, said that the Grammy-nominated group is also being sued by Sharome Ross, who claims that as a concertgoer he “was attacked and assaulted by persons who were in attendance at the same show.” Ross is also suing the venue owners for their role in the riot.
New York has a three-year statue of limitations for plaintiffs to file personal injury and property damage claims, according to the Albany Times Union.
Representatives for Migos did not respond to a request for comment.
Warning: Explicit Language