Drake has co-signed many artists over the years and one of them, UK drill rapper Loski, is now facing jail time after being found guilty of possessing a loaded revolver following a three-year investigation.
The Evening Standard reported the findings from Loski’s trial that finished on Wednesday (January 4), confirming a jury found him guilty of three counts – possessing a prohibited firearm, possessing a firearm when prohibited for five years and possessing ammunition for a firearm when prohibited for five years. The charges are in relation to a 2019 incident where he was stopped in an Uber.
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The 23-year-old (real name Jyrelle O’Connor) is part of the Kennington-based drill group Harlem Spartans, but according to Metropolitan Police, he was also a high-profile member of a south London gang who were involved in “violent disputes” with other gangs.
Detective Constable Snazell said there was “no doubt” Loski or his gang associates would have used the revolver in future. He also said the drill rapper was “fascinated” with guns and had Googled firearms and ammunition “numerous times” in the months leading up to his arrest.
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“[Loski] was an influential individual and had many followers on social media,” Snazell added. “No amount of fortune or fame justifies his serious criminal actions and I’m confident this will be reflected in the sentence that will be handed down by the judge.”
Loski’s Uber was stopped that day in 2019 because officers wanted to question him in relation to the events that led to his friend Latwaan Griffiths’ death the year prior. Investigators believe that Griffiths was fatally stabbed following an attempted shooting of a rival gang.
That same year was when Drake had co-signed Loski by attending one of his concerts – and was subsequently dubbed a “culture vulture” by grime legend Wiley because of it.
“I hate that people think that me being into music from these kids that are trying to make it and trying to build a name for themselves is like, ‘Oh, that’s some culture vulture,’” Drake said in response at the time. “What does that even mean? I don’t understand what that means. Would you rather me not acknowledge anything or support?”
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Loski is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday (January 6) at Croydon Crown Court in London.
