Police fear rap and drill music inciting violence in postcode gangs, underworld wars

NSW Police will advise social media platforms to take down songs and posts which they believe are fuelling Sydney’s gang violence from street brawls to shootings.

Police are concerned the music of artists such as Big Kash is encouraging gang violence.

Social media platforms will be asked by police to take down aggressive rap songs and posts they believe are being used to fuel Sydney’s gang violence from street brawls to shootings.

There is a growing concern that drill and rap music are inflaming criminal acts ranging from postcode wars of teenagers to the deadly feud between the Alameddine and Hamzy crime gangs – although there is no suggestion the artists are involved in criminal activity.

“Drill music and songs (in some cases) are being weaponised to basically inflame a conflict with another side. We are still seeing that trend where drill rapping is being used to talk about crimes being committed for purposes of antagonising an opposition,’’ said Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein.

“We don’t have the power to stop anything such as concerts or songs or what people post. So it goes back to the moderators like YouTube, Snapchat and those social media platforms. They have certain expectations and their own policies around showing violence and things that can be posted and can’t be.

“So if those companies are doing their due diligence, that should put a stop to the incitement of stuff.”

Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein, the commander of Strike Force Raptor. Picture: AAP/Image Matthew Vasilescu

Drill music started in Chicago in 2010 and has been growing in Britain, where it is blamed for a rise in knife crime in youths, and in recent years is taking off in Australia.

“Some of the songs appear to be put out there to antagonise the other side and that can lead to retribution. And we are seeing that here,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Weinsten said.

Police will not single out artists but have in the past had concerns that music by rappers like alleged Alameddine associate Ay Huncho and another rapper with a criminal past known as Big Kash is being used to incite violence. Huncho faces unproven charges unrelated to his music.

Police have identified the music of a Mt Druitt group called OneFour in the past.

Ali Younes, aka Ay Huncho, is an alleged Alameddine associate. The rapper was arrested in February. Picture: Supplied

Rapper John Lavulo, known as Big Kash is a former bikie who says he’s left the gangster life behind. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“OneFour is also a concern, not so much today but certainly historically,’’ Assistant Commissioner Weinsten said.

Police believe some of the content could create violence even though that is not their intention. In OneFour’s song The Message, the lyrics are in response to a rival group’s threats towards them.

“Retaliation is a must, ain’t no maybe ifs or buts. I got friends looking at 10 (years in jail) you watched yours put in a box,” the lyrics include. None of the artists have been charged over their music.

In 2018, when the so-called postcode gangs emerged, OneFour had a massive following in Sydney’s west with their music referring to violence and gang culture. A number of their concerts and a tour of Australia were cancelled after police intervened.

Mt Druitt rap group OneFour has distanced itself from western Sydney gangs. Picture: YouTube

“We didn’t ever stop a concert,” Assistant Commissioner Weinsten said.

“We told promoters or the venues that our current intelligence around certain groups meant they had to assess the risk of potential violence, then there’s a risk you have to take on.

“Most promoters or venues at that time said we are not going to take that risk.”

More recently, the music group has made efforts to distance itself from the gang which shares its name.

Big Kash last year said he was done with the gangster lifestyle and urged artists to not use music to incite violence.

“The trend in the Australian drill scene where kids were promoting gang violence was troubling me,” he said.