Rapper DaBaby detained for cannabis possession hours after Christmas toy giveaway for poor children

Artist alleges he was wrongfully targeted

DaBaby performs on 26 October 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Brad Barket/Getty Images for 105.1)

Rapper DaBaby was detained and charged with alleged marijuana possession hours after a charity toy distribution.

The artist, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, was apprehended late on Monday by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, authorities told The Independent.

Police told WCNC, a TV station in Charlotte, North Carolina, that DaBaby was detained in the parking lot of Bojangles’ Coliseum, where he had just wrapped up a show, on Monday night.

DaBaby wasn’t arrested but cited on misdemeanour marijuana possession and resisting an officer, then released, the police department said.

Earlier in the day, the rapper had spent time distributing toys to children in need in Charlotte ahead of Christmas, local TV station WBTV reported.

DaBaby told WCNC he was allegedly wrongfully targeted by authorities on Monday evening.

“They follow me, they pull us over for no reason, they search our cars,” he said.

The Independent has contacted DaBaby’s team for comment.

DaBaby, 28, released two studio albums in 2019 – Baby on Baby and Kirk.

He is up for two awards at the 2020 Grammys, in the Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance categories.