The War: Young Blood – Six Sydney drill rappers using prison cred to grow their tribes

Many rappers in Sydney’s drill scene see time spent in jail as a rite of passage, which gives them both cred and fresh fodder for their music: “you’re hearing realness”. See who has done time.

The confines of a prison cell are no hindrance for rappers involved in Sydney’s drill scene.

In fact, many see spending time in prison as a rite of passage if they are to have success in an area of music centred on telling tales of violence and antagonising rival musicians or gangs.

Ali “Ay Huncho” Younes and his friend “Nasa Nova”, their rival ONEFOUR members Salec “Lekks” Sua, Pio “YP” Misa and Dahcell “Celly” Ramos, and Engu “Hooligan Skinny” Tavia have all spent time in prison on remand or in custody over recent years.

Their experiences behind bars often find a way into their lyrics, a trend NSW Police Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein admitted earlier this year is now problematic.

“We are still seeing that trend where drill rapping is being used to talk about crimes being committed,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

Hooligan Skinny, who raps with Ay Huncho, offers up a 67 postcode sign. Picture: Supplied

Ali Younes being released from Parklea in February, 2022. Picture: Supplied

There is no suggestion any of the rappers mentioned have committed serious crimes or murders. Many have sung about the topic.

“I wouldn’t have rapped if I’d done no work,” Nasa Nova sings in the song Fatality with Ay Huncho.

Multiple Ay Huncho songs are seemingly based on the methodology to carry out a gangland murder, a hot topic considering he is related to alleged senior members of the Alameddine organised crime network.

In one verse of his song Night Riders, co-star Hooligan Skinny’s rap includes the lyrics: “Ever sat in the car no fear in your heart back seat and I’m beaming one? No leg shot brah [sic] I’m trying to dead this c***”.

Another song seemingly based on the city’s gang murders is the track Purpose. Not only does it feature Ay Huncho singing the lyrics: “In the car don’t get nervous, we ride for a purpose … empty clips on the surface, he gonna need a service”, but it also shows Younes standing in front of a whiteboard on which a plan for a hit is laid out.

Younes is currently before the NSW Local Court on charges including affray and assault, and has pleaded not guilty.

Doing time: - Ali "Ay Huncho" Younes' regular sidekick, Nasa Nova, behind bars left, and One Four member YP waves to his mates from custody, right. Pictures: Supplied​

Younes, one of the highest-profile western Sydney rappers, said in an interview with the ABC earlier this year was he not involved in the alleged Alameddine crime clan and that there was no such thing.

He said his music was based on “real” life experiences.

“It has helped because people know that I’m not a fake rapper,” Younes said.

“People know that when I rap, you’re hearing realness.”