Yams Day Ends in Violence

Yams Day, which was supposed to be a celebration of the late A$AP Yams, ended in chaos after violence broke out at the New York Expo Center in the Bronx on Thursday (Jan. 18).

Approximately two hours into the show, while A$AP Rocky was on stage, a fight broke out somewhere in the venue, according to the New York Daily News. This resulted in a stampede and the cancelation of the show, according to witnesses.

Anthony Bell, a 23-year-old concertgoer from Brooklyn, described the scene. “It was super packed and we couldn’t tell what was happening,” he explained. “You could hear there was a fight, and it definitely sounded like there were gunshots.”

“Everybody started running, and then it calmed down and there was a little pause,” he added. “But then you could hear chairs being thrown again and I heard that gunshot sound again, so I was headed for the door.”

It’s unclear how many altercations broke out, but footage started spreading on social media shortly after the event was canceled. A few clips show several men involved in confrontations. Another video features Rocky escaping a stampede and what looks like smoke or dust. The NY Daily News reported “combatants brawling” with “bats and long pieces of wood or metal.”

Yams day WILD pic.twitter.com/RTj3pquucS

— Mister Cent (@realfrogeyes) January 19, 2018

#liluzivert was next to the madness that happened at #yamsday . From what we heard he wasn’t hurt tho. Via @checkinginwithshay

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on Jan 18, 2018 at 8:52pm PST

ASAP Rocky after the brawl at YAMS day. pic.twitter.com/WzCTyg4OQg

— DJ Akademiks (@IamAkademiks) January 19, 2018

The New York Police Department had no reports of gunshots, but acknowledged that the event faced a “crowd control” issue.

Controversial rapper Tekashi69 was rumored to be a part of the mayhem, but he took to social media to say that he was not involved. “Nothing BUT the up most RESPECT for this man,” he said under a photo of Yams. “This is not about me, it’s about YAMS. People will always mix my name up with something. This is the internet and this is what comes with fame. All I can do is sit here and explain stuff to you guys. I had nothing to do with tonight’s disaster. I went live and posted it so you guys can see. THIS IS NOT ABOUT ME THIS DAY IS FOR YAMS.. Nothing but love and condolences to ASAP.”

#tekashi69 says he was not hurt or involved in the brawl at #yamsday “Yams didn’t deserve that”

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on Jan 18, 2018 at 9:00pm PST

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