JPEGMAFIA Ends Berlin Show Early After Pepper Spray Incident Injures Six

JPEGMAFIA’s Berlin stop on his Lay Down My Life tour took an unexpected turn when the show was cut short due to a pepper spray incident that injured six people. According to reports from German news agency dpa and The Associated Press, approximately 1,600 fans were evacuated to a nearby parking lot on Monday, January 20. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the pepper spray exposure, but no conclusions have been drawn yet.

The incident disrupted the ongoing tour, which supports JPEGMAFIA’s latest album, I Lay Down My Life for You. Despite the setback, the experimental rapper is set to resume his tour in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday, January 22.

The album has garnered attention not just for its bold sound but also for its controversial lyrics. JPEGMAFIA, also known as Peggy, took shots at Drake on tracks like “Private School” and “New Black History,” featuring Vince Staples. Lines such as, “Private school rappers don’t know what it is / If I show you a Drac’, I ain’t playin’ with kids,” sparked heated discussions online, further fueled by Peggy doubling down on his criticisms via social media.

Responding to the backlash in July, JPEGMAFIA tweeted:
“1st off I been dissing that n-gga since 2016, them shits was throwaway bars not noteworthy. Second off if anybody got a problem with what I said on this album, my tour dates in bio. Third, y’all can’t even pay your rent but defending Drake for free, go outside and be somebody.”

In a 2018 Billboard interview, JPEGMAFIA admitted that his jabs at Drake are less about personal animosity and more of a playful homage to the Canadian superstar’s massive influence. “I really don’t hate him,” he said. “I guess it’s my messed-up, trolly internet way of paying homage to him… He’s like the Omni-king or some shit like that. He’s ever-present.”

Despite his controversial persona, JPEGMAFIA continues to command attention in the hip-hop world with his uncompromising artistry and fearless approach to lyrical content. As the Lay Down My Life tour moves forward, fans remain eager to see what the unpredictable rapper has in store. Meanwhile, investigations into the Berlin incident are ongoing, leaving questions unanswered for those affected by the abrupt evacuation.