Western Sydney gangs: Jay Lekz opens up on 21 District life

The frontman of rap group 21 District says violence, drug deals and public brawls between rival youth gangs are simply “what western Sydney is now”.

Jay Lekz (James Nikua) and Kolo Sua pictured in Revesby. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Police have pleaded with rapper Jay Lekz to change the focus of his lyrics.

But the 21 District member says there’s no point trying to gloss over reality.

“This is what we are,” he said.

“We are not going to stop our music.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it. It’s violence, it’s trap houses, drug dealing, shooting. That’s what it is, black and white.”

The 21 District frontman is candid in his commentary on the ongoing gang wars.

The former Granville High School student and Inner West associate created the 21 District group in 2019, essentially amalgamating the Inner West affiliates of Granville, Auburn, Merrylands and Guildford under the one banner.

District 21 rapper Jay Lekz (centre) uses his music to communicate the realities of life for his community. Picture: Angelo Velardo

It’s estimated associates of the groups number in the hundreds.

As a self-described rebellious teenager, Lekz was immersed in the gang life of the region, and through his neighbourhood profile, launched his rap career.

Growing up in a large Islander family in a two-bedroom Granville house, Lekz said he had to learn early how to survive on the streets.

The big American rappers, Tupac, Biggie and Ice Cube, were an escape from the gritty realities of his upbringing.

But to Lekz, there was a disconnect with much of the overseas rap music, so he sought to prove that Aussies could rap, too.

“When I was in high school, everyone around the area, we were all rapping. But no one saw a future in it. Because everyone looked at us as Aussies and Aussies ‘don’t rap’,” Lekz said.

“It was a huge iceberg to break for Aussies to hit the rap scene, especially for us as Islanders as well because we are such a minority in the rap scene.

“We all used to rap when we would drink together or party together and just freestyle around the fire but we never thought anything of it – because it’s rapping about violence and stuff that is different to mainstream music.”

Their debut track ‘The Reply’ launched them firmly on the scene, with the song a nod to the group’s rivalry with OneFour.

A few days after the track’s release, Lekz was being recognised on the street, with young boys scrambling to get a selfie with the former tradie.

Their music has received airplay on Triple J and in popular footwear stories and has generated some high profile fans among NRL stars.

Rabbitohs gun Latrell Mitchell has been known to share his attempt at the group’s signature dance move, ‘The Inner West Swing’.

While on the cusp of further commercial success, the groups’ gang associations and violent lyrics, which have become a trademark of the drill rap genre, have left some in the industry wary.

“We’ve been offered contracts, but at the moment, it doesn’t really interest me,” Lekz said.

“(The record labels) were just a bit concerned with the gang culture. In terms of flow, rhythm and the beat everything was on point. But they were concerned with the gang culture. But for me that’s what I am. That’s my brand.

Lekz said violence is a reality of life. Pictured is CCTV footage of the OneFour brawl at the Carousel Inn in Rooty Hill, July 21, 2018. Picture: Supplied

“The cops have told us multiple times to change the direction of our music. But this is what we are. We are not going to stop our music.”

He hit out at the approach of NSW Police in shutting down all live shows of both 21 District and OneFour, as well as banning the wearing of the groups’ merchandise – a strategy likened to the banning of bikie ‘colours’.

“I think it’s overkill with what the cops are doing,” Lekz said.

“There are a lot of kids now who are going to be passionate about the area of western Sydney and focusing their energy into music because of the platform we’ve created.”

Lekz says the rivalry between the groups was well and truly active by the time he was on the scene and admits it is something that will never die.

“This rivalry was happening well before I came. Through personal situations, I became really active in that rivalry. It is real to me,” he said.

“It’s been tit for tat for ages. It’s chicken and egg, we don’t know what came first.

Rapping has always been a way for Lekz to express himself, even from his days at school. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“A lot of people that are not active in it, will chime in and say ‘Oh that’s stupid’. But this is what western Sydney is now.”

Former 21 District rapper and Inner West associate Hama Mapapalangi, known by the moniker ‘Mac 11’, agrees that gang life will always be a part of western Sydney.

After narrowly avoiding jail this month for his role in an infamous Inner West vs OneFour gang brawl at a Mt Druitt pub in 2019, Mac 11 said he was ready to walk away from the scene.

“Gang life will always be there. Even in the next 20 years, I’ll be gone from this life and gangs will still be there,” he said.

Rapper Mac 11, also known as Hama Mapapalangi. Picture: Instagram

“I’m hanging up my boots. I’m retired. I’ve done my time. From 16 years of age till I was 20, I was out there in the field doing everything for this gang. I’ve got kids now. I’m a father.”

As one of the OGs (originals) of the scene, Mac 11 urged the younger members to lay down their swords.

“I don’t know when this beef will ever end,” he said.

“The boys that were there for that very first fight, they’re grown now. Married with kids and they’re out of it.

“So they’re telling the young people- ‘What’s the point of the beef?’”