NBA YoungBoy’s recent concert in Oklahoma City sparked tension among local officials over issues of race and policing after the Oklahoma County Jail announced plans to ramp up staffing ahead of the show.
The 26-year-old rapper took the stage Saturday night at the Paycom Center, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Interim jail administrator Tim Kimrey told the county’s Criminal Justice Authority that extra personnel would be on duty “just in case there’s an influx of inmates,” calling the move a “proactive” measure.
Rev. Derrick Scobey, a Black pastor and member of the jail trust, slammed the decision as “overt racism,” arguing that no similar preparations were made for other concerts.
“It is probably going to be about 75% African-Americans at that concert,” Scobey said during the meeting, according to The Oklahoman. “All the other times we have not had extra staff come in. This is overt.”
Kimrey defended the decision, saying he plans to add staff anytime large crowds are expected. After a heated exchange, he agreed to also increase staffing for an upcoming Christian event — Beyond a Billion, a Life.Church celebration featuring gospel singer CeCe Winans — which Scobey pointed out had been overlooked.
An internal 13-page document titled OCDC Intelligence Assessment was circulated to local officials before the meeting, outlining NBA YoungBoy’s career, criminal record, and citing other cities that canceled his concerts over “security and safety concerns.” It also proposed using tactical teams, drones, armored vehicles, and light towers during the Oklahoma City event.
However, the Oklahoma City Police Department said it wasn’t taking any extra precautions and confirmed that off-duty officers would handle standard concert security. Lucy Albers, spokesperson for the Paycom Center, added that the venue had not been notified of any changes.
“We were not informed of any increased measures, nor did we request them,” she stated.
