NEW YORK, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A lawsuit against the New York Police Department alleges a man was detained by officers who told him he would only be released if he performed a rap song.

Quinshon Singles, 28, and Donyale Kitchens, whose age was not reported, filed suit in federal court alleging Singles was detained and made to perform a rap song by a group of police officers in 2011, the New York Post reported Tuesday.


The lawsuit states Singles was visiting Kitchens' apartment when several police officers, including one currently being investigated for other alleged illegal entries, came to the door and demanded consent for a search.

Kitchens refused consent and the officers said they would return later with a warrant. Kitchens left the apartment for a time and the officers returned with keys they received from the building super.

The lawsuit states Singles and two other men were placed in handcuffs while the officers searched the apartment.

The officers allegedly turned their attention to Singles upon discovering he was an aspiring rapper.

"The defendant officers then told the plaintiff Quinshon Shingles to show them some 'spits and bars,' specifically to perform a rap song, and that if he was 'hot' they would let him go," the suit states.

"Apparently satisfied with the plaintiff Quinshon Shingles' rap performance, the defendant officers indeed released him and allowed him to leave the subject premises."

The two other men were still in handcuffs when Kitchens returned home, the lawsuit states.

The search did not uncover any illegal items.

The suit is seeking unspecified damages for illegal search and false imprisonment.