Drill music video boss boasts of making a million
He cashes in as clips fuel surge in gang war killings
released a video in which he appears to mock Sidique’s murder. The groups have been trading threats in videos which the police have identified as fuelling the violence. Many of Moscow 17’s videos are hosted by Press Play Media, which we have revealed, is run by the husband of former Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah. In one video titled “Moscow March” the group mocks its rivals and vows it is “down for the action”.
Jen Lock, founder of Lives Instead of Knives, said YouTube and channel owners needed to take responsibility for violence, adding: “It’s blood money. These are true lyrics about people that have been murdered.”
Mr Tanku, now 28, said it was a “wild statement” to say all his wealth came from drill music as it made up less than five per cent of his channel’s catalogue and he was also a property developer.
He added: “The cause of the violence isn’t the music. The music is a reflection of artists’ lives.”
YouTube said it was actively working with London’s Metropolitan Police to review videos, stressing: “We do not want our platform used to incite violence.”
Det Supt Mike West said: “What looks like a music video can actually contain explicit language with gangs threatening each other and hand signals suggesting they are firing weapons. Where we can, we will take action against individuals appearing in them.”
JEN LOCK FOUNDER OF LIVES INSTEAD OF KNIVES