NYPD Officer Caught Assaulting Harlem Rapper English McFly

A viral video showing a confrontation between Harlem rapper English McFly and the New York Police Department (NYPD) has ignited outrage and renewed debate over police crowd-control tactics. 

According to the rapper’s social media account, the crowd in Harlem was in support of a music video shoot. The footage, which began circulating on social media on September 20, captured moments of escalating tension as officers attempted to disperse a gathering in Harlem.

The video shows McFly being struck by an officer before being lifted, restrained, and placed in handcuffs. Witnesses said the arrest stemmed from his possession of a portable speaker. In another clip from the same incident, an officer is seen knocking a cell phone from a bystander’s hands as the person can be heard shouting, “I got all that sh*t.”

Social media account TrapmaticTV would share the footage with a caption that suggests the name and badge number of the NYPD officer who assaulted English McFly. It reads: 

“NYPD OFFICERS OVERSTEP AUTHORITY AGAIN. IN HARLEM, NY SWARMING, PHYSICALLY A55AULTING ARTIST English McFly & OTHERS OVER A MUSIC SPEAKER. WHEN WILL THIS STOP? Officer BRENDON P. GROGAN (Badge # 27219)”

McFly, an emering attraction in the Harlem rap scene, appeared to be singled out during the commotion. He is seen in the video being pushed around, punched, and restrained before officers picked him up and escorted him away. The images sparked immediate criticism online, where many denounced the encounter as excessive force and questioned the rationale of detaining a performer over a music device.

NYPD Officer Caught Striking Harlem Rapper On Viral Video

The altercation also drew scrutiny for the officer’s confrontation with the onlooker filming the events. Civil rights advocates said the moment raised questions about the right to record public officials, protected under the First Amendment. For many viewers, it became emblematic of a larger struggle between law enforcement and public accountability.

By late last week, the Police Department had not provided a detailed account of the arrest or explained the actions seen in the footage. McFly and his representatives have not issued a public statement about the incident or any injuries he may have sustained.

The video, widely shared across social media, quickly attracted attention from local media and advocacy groups. Community leaders in Harlem called for transparency and a thorough review of the events.

The episode underscores how quickly street gatherings in New York can spiral into confrontation. It also highlights the fraught relationship between the city’s cultural life and the police charged with monitoring it. 

What began as a neighborhood gathering now sits at the center of a growing debate over civil liberties, accountability, and the place of music in public spaces.