Rapper Armani White, known for his viral hit "Billie Eilish," found himself in a sticky situation on a Kentucky highway, leading to an Arrest, a now-famous mugshot, and plenty of chatter – but don't worry, his new album is still on track!

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on Armani White's Kentucky Incident

  • Armani White was arrested in Laurel County, Kentucky, after allegedly filming a music video on Interstate 75, causing traffic disruptions and safety concerns.
  • He was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct and stopping/standing/parking on a limited access highway.
  • Despite the circumstances, White sported a huge smile in his mugshot, later explaining it was his way of refusing to be "painted as a criminal." His new album, There's a Ghost in My House, is still set for an October 31st Halloween release.
What Really Happened on Kentucky's Busy I-75 Interstate?

Okay, let's break down the whole scene that unfolded. On Sunday, October 12th, things got a little wild on Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky. Emergency dispatchers started getting a flood of 911 calls around 6 p.m. Drivers were pretty concerned, reporting some seriously dangerous activity: people running back and forth across the southbound lanes of traffic, and someone even dancing on the concrete barrier that splits the highway.

When the London Police Department officers, including Sergeant Dylan Messer, arrived near Exit 41, they found Enoch Tolbert, better known to the world as Armani White. He was indeed running across the interstate and doing his thing on the concrete divider. When questioned, White reportedly told the officers that he and his crew were just trying to film a music video. The song? We hear it's called "Say It To Me," and it's slated for his upcoming album.

Police officers like Hobie Daugherty quickly explained the gravity of the situation. "You’re not supposed to be just walking on the interstate, crossing lanes of travel," Daugherty noted, emphasizing the extreme danger not just to White and his crew, but to every driver on that busy road. Imagine cruising down the highway and suddenly having to swerve for someone dancing in your lane! Multiple 911 callers even expressed concern that the individuals might be in "psychiatric crisis," showing how alarming the scene was to ordinary citizens.

Authorities stressed that while Kentucky is no stranger to film shoots – movies, TV shows, and music videos happen all the time – there’s a crucial, proper process to follow. You need permits, safety measures, and official channels to ensure laws aren’t broken and, more importantly, lives aren't put at risk. This time, none of that was in place, leading directly to Armani White's arrest on charges of second-degree disorderly conduct and stopping, standing, or parking on a limited access highway. These are misdemeanors, but serious enough to land you in jail.

The Viral Mugshot and Armani White's Unforgettable Smile

Armani White's Highway Hijinks: Rapper's Arrest, Viral Mugshot, and Album Update image 3

After being taken into custody, Armani White was booked into the Laurel County Correctional Center. And this is where things got really interesting, visually speaking. His mugshot quickly went viral because, despite the circumstances, White was flashing a huge, unmistakable smile for the camera. He even had to remove his signature hair beads for the photo, making him look a bit different from his usual stage persona.

So, what was up with that grin? Armani White himself took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, October 14th, to set the record straight. He posted:

"I smiled in that picture because I refuse to let anyone paint me as a criminal. None of this should have happened. And it definitely should not be news."

— Armani White, via Instagram Stories

This statement really captures his mindset during the whole ordeal. He clearly wasn't happy about the arrest, telling corrections officers during his intake, "I'm going from like being, you know, feeling like you're on top of the world. We did that last night, I was on stage front of 10,000 people. You just walk me in that cell, it's like oh ." Yet, he maintained a defiant positivity, refusing to let the situation define him negatively.

Unexpected Hip-Hop Talk During the Ride to Jail

Armani White's Highway Hijinks: Rapper's Arrest, Viral Mugshot, and Album Update image 4

While the arrest itself was pretty tense, a surprising moment of camaraderie happened once Armani White was in the police cruiser. According to reports from the bodycam footage, the arresting officer actually sparked up a conversation about hip-hop music after realizing who Armani was. It turns out, even cops have their favorite artists!

The officer admitted to being more of a millennial, favoring older Eminem and even country music, but he also revealed he was a fan of Detroit rapper 42 Dugg. He mentioned he'd heard of Dugg when the artist was in legal trouble a few years back. It’s a unique glimpse into the human side of law enforcement, showing that even during an arrest, a shared passion for music can bridge gaps, at least momentarily. It might even be a hint for the officer to start streaming Armani White's own tracks, perhaps "Say It To Me" when it drops!

"No More Kentucky Ever!": What's Next for Armani White and His New Album?

Armani White's Highway Hijinks: Rapper's Arrest, Viral Mugshot, and Album Update image 5

After posting bond, Armani White was released from jail. But not before dropping another memorable post on Instagram: "ALBUM ON HALLOWEEN Mini-Doc coming soon. NO MORE KENTUCKY EVER!" So, it seems Kentucky might be off his tour itinerary for a while! He's currently on T-Pain's "TP20: Celebrating 20 Years of T-Pain" tour, where he's been garnering attention not just for his music, but also for a hilarious running joke of bringing T-Pain a cake every night.

Despite the legal drama, White is adamant that his creative flow won't be interrupted. His new album, titled There's a Ghost in My House, is still locked in for an October 31st release – perfectly timed for Halloween. He confirmed that tracks like "GHOST." featuring Samara Cyn and "MOUNT PLEASANT." with T-Pain himself will appear on the project. White told Z107.9's Ro Digga and DJ Ryan Wolf that the album title comes from a personal experience: "I had a ghost in my house. I mean, it's pretty self-explanatory, but yeah, I don't know. It just made sense." He had wanted to release it last year, but "a bunch of things kind of, you know, went how they went," hinting at past challenges.

Speaking of past challenges, this isn't Armani White's first run-in with the law. Back in 2019, he and his brother were accused of arson following an accidental house fire in Philadelphia. He later opened up about this in an interview, explaining how the city charged them, forcing them to prove their innocence to get the charges dropped in 2020. This harrowing experience even inspired his EP, Things We Lost In The Fire, showing his ability to channel adversity into art.

For his current legal situation, White has been released and instructed to call and schedule a court date. He is scheduled for a pretrial conference on October 28th. So, while his album is set to drop, there's still a bit of legal loose end to tie up.

Why These Incidents Resonate with Fans and the Public

Armani White's journey from his breakout viral hit "Billie Eilish" to this latest incident highlights the unique pressures and temptations artists face. The desire to create stunning visuals and capture a moment can sometimes overshadow practical realities and legal requirements. For fans, these moments offer a glimpse behind the curtain – a peek into the personality and resilience of an artist beyond the music.

His decision to smile in the mugshot and immediately address the situation online speaks volumes about his character and his determination to control his own narrative. It's a reminder that even when things go sideways, an artist's commitment to their craft and their audience often remains unwavering. So, as Halloween approaches, fans aren't just looking forward to a spooky album, but also watching how Armani White navigates this latest chapter.

FAQs About Armani White's Recent Arrest and Album

When did Armani White get arrested? Armani White was arrested on Sunday, October 12th, 2025, in Laurel County, Kentucky. What charges did Armani White face? He was charged with second-degree disorderly conduct and stopping, standing, or parking on a limited access highway. Why did Armani White smile in his mugshot? He explained on Instagram that he smiled because he "refuse[s] to let anyone paint me as a criminal" and felt the incident "should not be news." Is Armani White's new album still coming out? Yes! His new album, There's a Ghost in My House, is still scheduled for release on Halloween, October 31st. Where can I watch the police bodycam footage? Segments of the police bodycam footage were obtained and published by TMZ Hip Hop and various local news outlets like LEX18 and WKYT. Sources
  • TMZ Hip Hop
  • WKYT
  • LEX18
  • Hot 97
  • The Sentinel-Echo
  • HipHopDX