NSW Police Are Trying To Stop Rappers Posting On Social Media

The Daily Telegraph have reported that NSW Police will be asking social media platforms to take down aggressive rap songs and posts by local rappers as they attempt to stop gang violence.

They believe that rather than reflecting the hardships, struggles and socio-economic disparity of communities, Wester Sydney rap music and more specifically drill music is fuelling gang violence. The same argument that is often made about video games causing violence. 

“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.

Good grief how are NSW police STILL PURSUING THIS VENDETTA pic.twitter.com/G03CbsLtbm

— Tommy Faith (@tommyfaith_) July 10, 2022

“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.

“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."

The police say they won't be singling out artists but have had concerns about Ay Huncho and Big Kash's music being used to incite violence. 

“OneFour is also a concern, not so much today but certainly historically,’’ Weinstein also said. He continues to quote one of the most famous and culturally defining moments in Australian music The Message as one that incited violence.

“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," he continued saying that the police force never banned the group from performing.

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