Damon Mcknight
Australian drill rap group OneFour has been banned from performing in their home state of New South Wales (NSW) since 2019. NSW Police have shut down their performances and prevented their manager from contacting them, citing concerns about the group's association with gang violence and knife crime. OneFour is Australia's first drill rappers and their lyrics, which talk about violent crime, gang wars, and police, have shocked many Australians. The group's members have also had several run-ins with the law, with some serving jail time. Despite the bans, OneFour remains popular and continues to perform outside of NSW, with sold-out shows in other cities and countries.
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What You'll Learn
NSW Police's safety concerns for concertgoers
NSW Police have raised safety concerns for concertgoers regarding OneFour's performances. The group's lyrics, which discuss violent crime, gang wars, and the police, have been deemed by some Australians as shocking and inappropriate. OneFour's song "Spot The Difference" includes the lyrics: "We violent men, they talk too much, we silence them. Quiet Them. And plus, this blade will take his life and minus them (Ride on them)".
In addition to their explicit lyrics, OneFour has also faced legal troubles, with members being in and out of prison. In 2018, three members of the group, Pio "YP" Misa, Dahcell "Celly" Ramos, and Salec "Lekks" Su'a, were jailed for their involvement in an affray at a pub in Rooty Hill, where a man was assaulted with a hammer and a chair leg. More recently, in April 2024, Mr. Ramos was arrested for allegedly threatening someone with a knife at a house party near Penrith while on parole.
Due to the group's lyrics and history of legal issues, NSW Police have expressed concerns that OneFour's performances could incite violence and fuel a crisis. The police's Raptor Squad, which targets serious and organized crime among outlaw motorcycle gangs, has taken a particular interest in the group. While OneFour argues that their lyrics are a reflection of their upbringing and not a call to action, the police maintain that the risk of violence is heightened at live performances.
OneFour has faced cancellations of their shows and pressure from the police, with NSW Police even serving exclusion orders to band members, banning them from attending certain events and locations. The group has stated that they stand ready to meet with NSW Police at any time and hope to resolve the issues preventing them from performing in their home country.
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OneFour's association with violence and crime
OneFour, Australia's first drill rappers, have been banned from performing in their home state of New South Wales (NSW) due to their association with violence and crime. The group's lyrics often reference violent crime, gang wars, and the police, which has led to concerns that their music incites gang violence and knife crime.
In 2019, NSW Police's Raptor Squad, which targets serious and organized crime, raised safety concerns for concert-goers, leading to the cancellation of OneFour's national tour. The group has also faced censorship in Sydney, with venues being pressured by police to cancel their shows. OneFour is the only rap group in Australia's history to face such heavy policing, with a specialized task force of 20 detectives and analysis experts formed to investigate them.
The group's members have had several run-ins with the law, including arrests and jail time. For instance, in 2018, three members of OneFour were jailed for their involvement in an affray at a pub in Rooty Hill, where a man was beaten with a hammer and a chair leg. Additionally, in 2022, one of the group's members, Pio Misa, was arrested and pleaded guilty to assault.
Despite these associations with violence and crime, OneFour has maintained that their lyrics are a reflection of their upbringing in Western Sydney rather than a call to action. They argue that their music provides a spark of hope for artists trying to break free from the cycle of violence and crime. However, NSW Police continue to monitor the group closely, and their performances in NSW remain banned.
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Police pressure on venues to cancel shows
OneFour, Australia's first drill rappers, have faced censorship and police intervention for their performances and lyrics. NSW Police have been accused of pressuring venues to cancel the group's shows, citing concerns about potential gang violence and knife crime associated with the drill music genre. This trend of police intervention has resulted in the cancellation of OneFour's performances and has drawn comparisons to the challenges faced by UK drill rappers.
In 2019, OneFour's national tour was cancelled after venues in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth succumbed to police pressure. NSW Police also served exclusion orders to two group members, banning them from attending the ARIA Music Awards and their local shopping centre. The police actions were met with criticism, with some arguing that the police were enforcing moral judgments rather than upholding the law.
OneFour's lyrics often include violent crime, gang wars, and references to the police. While some find their content shocking, others argue that the group is simply reflecting their life experiences and the realities of growing up in Western Sydney. Despite the controversy, OneFour has gained significant attention, with their music garnering millions of views and streams, ARIA nominations, and global recognition.
The group has faced challenges due to their members' run-ins with the law, including arrests and jail time for violent offences. However, they continue to pursue their musical careers and have expressed their desire to perform in their home state of New South Wales. OneFour's resilience and determination have garnered support from their fans, who have shown enthusiasm for their music and live performances.
While OneFour has faced setbacks and cancellations due to police pressure on venues, they remain hopeful for the future. They continue to create music and aim for a headline tour, determined to overcome the obstacles they have faced. Despite the challenges, OneFour has made breakthroughs, such as their recent performance at the Listen Out music festival, indicating a potential shift in their ability to perform freely.
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Censorship of drill rap in Australia
In Australia, drill rap music has faced censorship, with the group OneFour being banned from performing in their home state of New South Wales (NSW) and facing significant obstacles in their attempts to tour the country. OneFour has been subjected to intense scrutiny and policing, with their performances and lyrics deemed to incite violence and fuel gang culture. This has resulted in cancelled shows, police presence at their concerts, and even exclusion orders served to band members.
The Case of OneFour
OneFour, Australia's first drill rappers, has faced intense censorship and policing of their performances and lyrics. NSW Police have consistently raised concerns about the group's performances, citing potential risks of gang violence and knife crime. This has resulted in cancelled shows and a dedicated task force, Strike Force Imbala, targeting the group. OneFour's lyrics, which speak about violent crime, gang wars, and the police, have shocked many Australians and contributed to the perception of their music as controversial.
Police Action
NSW Police have taken proactive measures to prevent OneFour's performances, including serving exclusion orders to band members, banning them from specific areas, and pressuring venues to cancel their shows. In 2019, OneFour's national tour was cancelled, with the band claiming that NSW Police was sending a message about enforcing moral judgments rather than upholding the law. The group has faced challenges due to their members' run-ins with the law, including arrests and jail time, which have further complicated their ability to perform.
Community Perspectives
OneFour's music resonates with marginalised communities, particularly in Western Sydney, where their lyrics reflect the realities of life for many youth. While some argue that their music incites violence, others believe that suppressing it ignores the underlying issues and extinguishes sparks of hope that arise from artists breaking free of cycles of crime and violence. The group's manager has compared the censorship to the FBI's attempts to shut down American rap group NWA in the late 1980s, suggesting that the censorship may ultimately boost OneFour's popularity.
Signs of Change
Despite the challenges, there are signs of change on the horizon for OneFour. In recent years, they have been allowed to perform at festivals like Listen Out, and their music has garnered millions of views and streams, ARIA nominations, and global attention. OneFour continues to work on new music and hopes to embark on a headline tour in the future, determined to overcome the obstacles they have faced.
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Criminal histories of OneFour members
OneFour is an Australian drill and rap group originating from the Western Sydney suburb of Mount Druitt. The group has four core members: J Emz, Spenny, Lekks, and Celly. YP was also a member but left the group in 2024 to focus on religion. The group's name has been linked to a local street gang, NF14, but the members claim it comes from the year they launched as a hip-hop group, 2014.
The members of OneFour grew up in one of Sydney's most disadvantaged suburbs, where they worked basic labouring jobs to support their families. They claim that music is their only outlet to share their stories and realise their true potential. However, their music has been criticised for its explicit references to violence and gang culture.
In 2018, three members of OneFour—YP (Pio Misa), Lekks (Salec Su'a), and Celly (Dahcell Ramos)—were jailed over several charges, including reckless grievous bodily harm after a violent interaction at the Carousel Inn in Rooty Hill. Misa (YP) was sentenced to four years in prison with a two-year non-parole period and was released in December 2021.
J Emz has also been denied entry to other countries due to his criminal history. In 2019, he was denied entry to New Zealand, making Spenny the only member to perform in Auckland that year.
While OneFour claims that their lyrics are honest depictions of their lives and not intended to incite violence, police have admitted to doing "everything in their power" to stop them from rapping about outlaw bikie gangs and "postcode wars." NSW Police have also served exclusion orders to group members, banning them from attending the ARIA Awards and their local shopping centres.
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Frequently asked questions
NSW Police have banned the group from performing in their home state of New South Wales, citing safety concerns for concert-goers and arguing that their performances are likely to incite violence. OneFour's lyrics talk about violent crime, gang wars, and police, and the group has had several run-ins with the law.
In 2022, The Kid Laroi brought OneFour out as a surprise during his Sydney show. This was the group's first major performance since the ban. During the impromptu mini-set, OneFour and Laroi performed their joint single 'My City', before Laroi dipped away from the mic and OneFour played two of their own songs: 'Shanks And Shivs' and 'Spot The Difference'.
OneFour has denied that their performances incite violence and have stated that they are being targeted by the police. They have also turned the ban into a promotional opportunity, comparing themselves to NWA, who were deemed dangerous by the FBI in 1988.
