A memorable night for hip-hop was overshadowed by a clash between concertgoers and police. The incident occurred during the Hot 97 Summer Jam at MetLife Stadium.
According to reports, the disruption began when tickets were sold out and some attempted to climb the stadium’s gate to enter the festival. The gate was eventually shut down around 7 p.m. and some ticketholders were not allowed entry.
This caused a stir as individuals who paid up to $600 each for a ticket became furious over the gate being shut down. Hundreds of police officers in riot gear arrived at the stadium and pepper sprayed the crowd that gathered outside. They also used a sound generator to produce a screeching sound to irritate those in the vicinity of the noise. Some attendees threw trash and other debris at officers.
There were numerous arrests, and the outside of MetLife Stadium was littered with trash and overturned garbage cans.
But while chaos ensued outside, the show went on inside. Talent that hit the stage included Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Meek Mill, and Nicki Minaj.
