NBA YoungBoy’s concert in Oklahoma City had local officials clashing over race and policing after the Oklahoma County Jail announced plans to increase staffing and prepare for a potential influx of arrests tied to the event.
The 26-year-old rapper performed on Saturday night at the Paycom Center, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Interim jail administrator Tim Kimrey told the county’s Criminal Justice Authority this week that extra personnel would be on duty “just in case there’s an influx of inmates,” describing the move as “proactive.”
Rev. Derrick Scobey, a Black pastor and member of the jail trust, called the decision “overt racism,” pointing out that the jail had not made similar staffing adjustments for other concerts.
“It is probably going to be about 75% African-Americans at that concert,” Scobey said during the meeting, per The Oklahoman. “All the other times we have not had extra staff come in. This is overt.”
Kimrey defended the plan, saying he intended to boost staff anytime large crowds come into the city. After back-and-forth questioning, he agreed to also increase staff for an upcoming Christian event, Beyond a Billion, a Life.Church celebration featuring gospel singer CeCe Winans, which Scobey noted was initially overlooked.
A 13-page internal memo titled “OCDC Intelligence Assessment” was circulated to local officials before the meeting. The document outlined NBA YoungBoy’s musical career alongside his criminal history and referenced other cities that have canceled his shows over “security and safety concerns.” It also suggested deploying tactical teams, drones, armored vehicles, and light towers for the Oklahoma City concert.
The Oklahoma City Police Department, however, said it is not taking any additional measures and confirmed that off-duty officers would provide the usual concert security. Lucy Albers, spokesperson for the Paycom Center, also said the venue was unaware of any changes at the county jail.
“We were not informed of any increased measures, nor did we request them,” she said.