Police brutality at Smif-N-Wessun/Pete Rock release party

Last night at Tammany Hall in New York City, Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock celebrated their critically acclaimed collaborative album “Monumental” on Duck Down Records. Word is the concert was going great with fans and celebrities enjoying the good vibes,music and success of another true hip-hop project, but the venue was over crowded and at some point during the night a fight broke out outside the venue. At this time NYC police decided for no good reason to storm the venue and aggressively toss everyone out into the streets. Once the rightfully aggravated party goers were outside all hell broke loose as the NYPD violently attacked artist and patrons alike.

DJ Jay Diamond was on hand with camera at the ready to document the incident….

Check out @rude_jude & @lordsear’s show on @Shade45 at 5PM EST Wed June 29th, @TekSmokeeLah & @GeneralSteele of @Smifnwessun are guests and will speak on the event.

Here are a few quotes via twitter….
DJ Bazaro

DJ Evil Dee

Pete Rock

General Steele

Photos from the event by @luvsunnywinters

Pick up Monumental in stores now!!

*** NOTE ***

We are going to continue to add to this story as news comes out. Check back for updates. We have the article in the slider at the top of the page to make it easier for awhile. – GMS

PETE ROCK gives the nights events from his perspective: (Courtesy of TheUrbanDaily)

Watch the show footage of Smif N Wesson + Pete Rock Live at Tammany Hall
(Courtesy of BlowHipHoptv.com)

Read the official statement from Smif N Wesson’s lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, who was at the event:

Official Statement
On Tuesday, June 28th, Pete Rock, Tek & Steele (of Smif N Wessun) were celebrating the release of their collaborative album, ‘Monumental.’ It was a peaceful gathering inside of a sold-out Tammany Hall (lower-east side Manhattan, NY) to see the group perform new music from the project. Earlier in the evening some guests wanted to enter the event but were turned away by the management and bouncers employed by the club. A minor argument ensued, but eventually was diffused by the bouncers. Thirty minutes after that minor skirmish 15-20 uniformed Police Officers from the 7th precinct arrived at the venue. Shortly after even more uniformed officers arrived. The officers then hurried into the club and began macing and assaulting individuals inside the club, dragging one of them out and pummeling him directly in front of the club. Present at the event were artists, industry tastemakers, fans, photographers, and cameramen. Several people began filming and recording the unprovoked brutality, much to the dismay of the police. The officers then began to mace and assault anyone within arms length, including several women. Kenneth Montgomery, the group’s attorney, who was in attendance at the event, stated that the Police “behavior was unjustified, unprovoked, and simply barbaric considering there was no provocation.” Pete Rock, Tek and Steele fortunately were not harmed, however some of their friends & family were assaulted by the Police. The group’s attorney, Kenneth Montgomery, is addressing the situation now with local community leaders & is available for comment with more detailed information.

For more detailed information on the incident please contact:

Kenneth Montgomery
917-770-5590
ken@kjmontgomerylaw.com

There is an exclusive interview of Tek & Steele of Smif N Wesson, on OkayPlayer.com

Steele let’s us know that one of the “Monumental 5″ (the name given the 5 random people arrested at the “Monumental” album release party) was Pete Rock’s step-daughter, among other things.

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