Rapper Big Kash says he’s done with gangster life: ’I am one of the lucky ones’

John Lavulo, also known as Big Kash, has been a controversial figure on the Sydney rap scene. He has survived a hit on his life, been arrested multiple times and a target of the gangs squad. But he says that is now all behind him.

John Lavulo has revealed “many attempts” were made on his life.

He has been shot at, survived life in a bikie gang and engaged in a violent war of words that sparked a media frenzy – but rapper John Lavulo, also known as Big Kash, claims he is done with the gangster life.

“As I have gotten older, and drawing on my experiences, the trend in the Australian drill (rap) scene where kids were promoting gang violence was troubling me,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

“Anyone who has ever walked that path would never encourage that type of behaviour because it is not a joke – I have almost lost my life on multiple occasions.”

Last week, a judge spared the 34-year-old a lengthy jail sentence over an aggravated break and enter in Cabramatta West in 2017.

While on bail for that offence, Lavulo was arrested last New Year’s Eve for telling a female police officer he would kill her family and for defecating in a unit block hallway in an alcohol-fuelled rampage.

He pleaded guilty to intimidating police, stalking and behaving in an offensive manner in public and was sentenced to a community corrections order.

Rapper John Lavulo, known as Big Kash, a former bikie who was shot last year, says he done with the gangster life. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Lavulo told the court last week he hadn’t touched alcohol since February and he now planned to start a rehabilitation program through the Wesley Mission.

He spent many years in outlaw motorcycle clubs, a world he says he was lucky to escape. “Many attempts were made on my life,” he said.

“I know I am one of the lucky ones.”

Lavulo said he sought ­acceptance from bikie gangs following a tumultuous relationship with his father.

“I had a lot of rejection issues with my father so I always wanted to be accepted,” he said. “The only place I felt I found that was with motorcycle gangs … Also I had a violent upbringing so it was easy for me to fall into those types of circles.”

John Lavulo in hospital after being shot in Warwick Farm last year. Picture: Instagram

Lavulo is a rapper and podcaster who claims he is done with violence and alcohol. Picture: Instagram

Recently, Lavulo courted controversy on his Instagram page where he was involved in a war of words with another Western Sydney rapper. He was then back in the headlines when he was shot as he drove out of his Warwick Farm apartment block on August 8.

When Lavulo turned up to Campbelltown District Court on Wednesday, he was facing a maximum 20-year jail sentence for aggravated break and enter. But after explaining to the court he hadn’t touched alcohol since February and was now steering youth away from the life of violence, greed and drugs perpetuated on social media, Judge Andrew Colefax gave him a chance. In sentencing Lavulo to a two-year intensive corrections order, Judge Colefax said the rapper was at a crossroads.

Lavulo’s lawyer Jeannette Fahd said her client had overcome significant obstacles to turn his life around.

“He is committed to demonstrating his value to society and is ­grateful for this chance,” she said outside court.

Lavulo launched a YouTube podcast - Kash’d Out - earlier this year and talks about snitches, regret, being shot and recently convicted rapist and former NRL player Jarryd Hayne.

“You got to hold these c**ts accountable for their actions,” he said of Hayne.

Lavulo said he was now focused on his music, podcast and empowering youth.

“My next track — Pressure — is about the harsh realities of the streets, and where I come from. I do not encourage this behaviour or attempt to glamorise it in any way — I am just speaking my truth and what I have been through.”