Rapper Ye accused of punching autograph-seeker in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is under investigation for criminal battery after he allegedly punched an autograph-seeking fan outside a downtown Los Angeles nightclub early Thursday, authorities said.

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According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Ye, 44, who legally changed his name last year, allegedly pushed and punched a fan near the members-only Soho Club at about 3 a.m. PST, the Los Angeles Times reported. The musician had a verbal exchange with the fan, who was attempting to get Ye’s autograph, when the encounter escalated into a physical altercation, the newspaper reported.

A video obtained by TMZ showed Ye yelling and gesturing near an SUV on the sidewalk.

“Did y’all say that or not? Did y’all say that or not? Cause that’s what happened right ... now,” Ye can be heard saying.

Ye had already left the scene by the time authorities arrived, KTTV-TV reported. The incident is considered a misdemeanor, the television station reported.

The fan declined medical treatment, according to the Times.

A charge of misdemeanor battery has a maximum sentence of six months in prison. No arrests have been made, KTLA-TV reported.

Any investigation results will be reviewed by the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, the Times reported.

The incident comes a week after Ye was announced as one of the headliners for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April. Harry Styles and Billie Eilish are also the headline acts for the California music festival.

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