Darius Rucker Speaks Out on Recent Drug Arrest: 'I Feel Like I'm Being Targeted'

Darius Rucker Says February Drug Arrest Sucks When Breaking His Silence on the Incident

Darius Rucker. Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

Darius Rucker, the 58-year-old country music star, is revealing more information about his arrest earlier this year. In February 2023, he was pulled over by the police, but they released him at that time. It turns out that Rucker was not aware that there was a warrant out for his arrest.

"It was really cool," he shared with People in an interview released on Tuesday, May 28th. Reflecting on the past, he said, "I remember getting pulled over by a cop and having a small amount of pot, and maybe some mushrooms in the car, but the officer just let me off the hook."

A year later, Rucker was taken aback when a friend told him about the arrest warrant.

My friends in the police department were surprised and asked if I had upset someone because it seemed unbelievable that this was happening a year later. However, I believe someone wanted to use me as an example, and they succeeded. I am working with my lawyers, facing the consequences, and will move forward with my life.

On February 1, 2024, it was confirmed that Rucker was arrested by the Franklin Police Department in Tennessee for three misdemeanor drug charges: two counts of simple possession/casual exchange of a controlled substance and one count of a violation of registration law.

"Darius Rucker's lawyer, Mark Puryear, stated that the singer is fully cooperating with authorities regarding misdemeanor charges."

Darius Rucker Says February Drug Arrest Sucks When Breaking His Silence on the Incident

Darius Rucker. Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Rucker told People that the incident “sucks” overall. “Never seen inside of a police car or jail, and I get busted for that,” he added.

In his memoir, "Life's Too Short," the lead singer of Hootie & The Blowfish opened up about the constant partying during their tours. He admitted to indulging in alcohol, drugs, and everything else imaginable, in excessive amounts. Drinking, smoking, and substance abuse were a common occurrence for the band.

Rucker shared that he preferred Jim Beam as his drink of choice. He mentioned that the band would constantly indulge in drugs throughout the day and night.

The only breaks they took were to either play golf or make music, he explained. Rucker questioned whether their priority was partying, drinking, and drugs, or golf, performing, and music. He admitted he couldn't determine which came first - the chicken or the egg.

Rucker admitted in the book that he’s “honestly amazed that we made it out alive,” while looking back at this time in his life.

Editor's P/S:

Darius Rucker's arrest highlights the consequences of past actions, even when they seem insignificant at the time. The fact that he was unaware of the warrant for over a year suggests that the justice system can be slow and inefficient. Rucker's experience also raises questions about the use of celebrity status to escape punishment. While he was ultimately arrested and charged, it's unclear whether he would have faced the same consequences if he were not a famous musician.

Rucker's candid account of his past drug use in his memoir provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by musicians who struggle with addiction. The constant partying and substance abuse that characterized Hootie & The Blowfish's early days took a toll on their health and well-being. Rucker's admission that he's "honestly amazed that we made it out alive" is a sobering reminder of the dangers of drug use. His story serves as a warning to others who may be struggling with addiction and highlights the importance of seeking help before it's too late.