A drill rapper is under investigation for allegedly glorifying the murder of youngster Jimmy Mizen in his lyrics.
Jake Fahri, 35, was recently released from prison in June 2023 after serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years for the 2008 murder of a 16-year-old schoolboy. Mizen bled to death after Fahri threw a glass oven dish at a bakery in Lee, south London, which shattered and severed an artery in his neck.
Fahri now raps under the name TEN and his music has been promoted on BBC 1Xtra.
Despite the BBC’s apparent censorship of his music, the rapper seems to refer to Mizen’s passing in tracks that can be heard on YouTube and Spotify.
In one song, he raps: “Stuck it on a man and watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s. Sharpen up my blade, I’ve got to keep those necessary. Stay alert and kept it ready, any corner could be deadly. Judge took a look at me, before the trial even started he already knows he’s gonna throw the book at me.”
Another song’s lyrics include the line: “See a man’s soul fly from his eyes and his breath gone… I wanted more, it made it less wrong. Seeing blood spilled same floor he was left on.”
Jimmy’s mum Margaret Mizen told The Sun: “If this is true, I am very saddened as it will be a shock to the rest of my family. However, Jimmy’s legacy of forgiveness, peace and hope, which we share in schools, will not change.”
The BBC told the Metro that only two songs by TEN have been played on 1Xtra, but not those referencing the murder.
The broadcaster said in a statement: “BBC 1Xtra does not glamorise violence and this individual does not feature on any playlists.”
But what exactly is drill music?
What is drill music?
Drill music is a hip-hop sub-genre that emerged in Chicago in the early 2010s. It’s defined by its dark, menacing tone and aggressive lyrics about crime, narcotics, and gang culture.
The Guardian’s Lucy Stehlik said that “nihilistic drill reflects real life where its squeaky-clean hip-hop counterparts have failed”.
Following the success of rappers like Chief Keef, Lil Reese, Lil Durk, Fredo Santana, G Herbo, Lil Bibby, and King Louie, the genre entered the American mainstream in 2012.
A UK drill scene developed in the middle of the 2010s, following the Chicago drill culture, and it has been increasing in popularity ever since.
Who are some famous drill rappers?
Central Cee
Probably the most well-known drill artist at the moment is Central Cee, whose songs Doja and BAND4BAND you might have heard on TikTok.
He rose to prominence in 2020 with the release of his singles Day in the Life and Loading.
LD
LD is regarded as the “godfather of UK drill” and was a pioneer in the UK drill scene. He emerged in 2014 with his first single Live Corn.
Digga D
Another pioneer in the drill scene is Digga D, who runs his own record label Black Money Records (BMR). He rose to fame in 2017 along with his collective CGM.
His third mixtape Noughty by Nature was released on 15 April 2022, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
OFB
OFB, also known as the Original Farm Boys, is a popular drill group and includes well-known group members Bandokay and Double LZ.
The group is based in Broadwater Farm in North London and has been around since 2016.