Drill lyrics used in 252 London court cases

Drill rap lyrics and videos have been employed as evidence in murder trials across London, with the Metropolitan Police defending their use. A report indicated that such material was presented against 252 defendants between 2020 and 2023.

Police justification for using drill music

The Metropolitan Police argue that some drill music content features artists boasting about real-life violent actions. Detective Sergeant Matt Corbin, who acts as a police expert on drill music in court, stated that the material is important for securing convictions against individuals who have committed violent acts. He added that if people reveal criminal information in their music, the police will use it.

Detective Sergeant Corbin also noted that young people may be motivated to include criminal information in their songs to gain status. While acknowledging the debate around artistic expression, he stressed that the police do not wish to demonise any music genre and that drill lyrics should not be overused.

Campaigners call for legal safeguards

The campaign group Art Not Evidence, comprising lawyers and academics, is urging the government to change the law. They seek to establish a presumption that creative expression, such as drill lyrics, should not be admissible as evidence. The group contends that drill lyrics are sometimes used to depict 'gang aesthetics' which are misinterpreted by those unfamiliar with the genre's culture.

Art Not Evidence stated that using lyrics to secure convictions against young Black individuals exacerbates existing racial disparities within the criminal justice system and stifles freedom of expression. A spokesperson for the group welcomed the Metropolitan Police's acknowledgment of the need for care when presenting rap music to juries. However, they questioned whether current safeguards are sufficient, citing instances where creative expression is admitted despite having limited relevance to the offence being tried.

Victim's mother supports use of lyrics

Valentina Locci, whose 15-year-old son Leonardo Reid was killed in Islington, North London, by gang members, stated that the use of drill lyrics to bring his killers to justice was correct. She described hearing lyrics about her son's death as 'the most horrifying thing' for a family member. Ms Locci asserted that if artists are permitted to write about deceased individuals, then families should be able to use those lyrics in court to aid in achieving justice.

Art Not Evidence is campaigning for clear statutory safeguards to ensure creative expression is only admitted when it is genuinely relevant, reliable, and not unduly prejudicial.