Approximately 200 people crashed through multiple entrances of the Oakland Arena during last Friday's (1/15) KMEL Cash Money concert, leading to a major fracas with police and the cancellation of the show. The Oakland Arena said it will evaluate what happened before deciding to have other rap concerts at the venue.

R&B/hip-hop acts Ginuwine [ tickets ] and Eve [ tickets ] performed without incident for the 12,500 fans inside the venue. After the show's 9 p.m. intermission, an unknown number of people--some with tickets, some without--stormed three entrances, plowing past metal detectors and reaching the main floor.

A chaotic melee ensued as fans hurled beer bottles and folding chairs at Alameda County deputy sheriffs, venue security and Oakland police, the latter arriving at the scene in riot gear. At least 15 fistfights reportedly broke out inside the venue. Some fans tried to escape the free-for-all by climbing into upper-level suites; others ran for the doors to get out of the venue.

Law enforcement officers and venue security cleared the arena, while the California Highway Patrol closed off local freeway ramps to keep vehicles away from the area. The sheriff's captain met with venue officials, who decided to cancel the remainder of the show, including performances by Cash Money label acts Hot Boys and Juvenile [ tickets ].

Various venue and police officials estimated that between 17 and 25 fans, law enforcement officers and arena staff were injured. No one was arrested.

Although earlier reports said that fans heard shots fired outside the venue, police did not find anyone with a gun, nor was anyone shot.

A show promoter stated that the chaos was not catalyzed by the performers. Since November, the tour has played Chicago, Florida and San Jose without incident, according to the San Francisco Examiner.

The Oakland Arena's general manager Sally Roach told the San Jose Mercury News that "it will be a while before we do [rap] again. We have to evaluate everything." She added that the venue would not ban rap concerts permanently.

The concert, sponsored by San Francisco radio station KMEL and rap label Cash Money, was the Oakland Arena's first hip-hop show since a 1989 concert featuring Heavy D and MC Hammer. During Heavy D's performance, a gun fight broke out the venue, causing 10,000 fans to flee. Other violence at the show included fifty young men who beat and trampled people, and a second shooting outside the venue. The concert finished with only 4,000 people remaining. There were no arrests.