RIP To Our Fallen Soldiers

In 2017, there was 116 homicides (excluding the deaths during the three 'terrorist' attacks). 2017 was the year which saw the "highest number of teenagers murdered in London since 2008."

Now forward twelve months and 2018 has now become the deadliest year since 2008, especially for the black community. There have been 132 deaths, with thirty-two being, black males under 30 and two teenage females aged, just 17 years old.

I want to be able to see in another twelve months that at least some improvements have been made. This vicious cycle we've become accustom to seeing - which seems never ending, needs to subside. I do not want these young people's deaths being in vain. I'm tired of seeing a three minute news reports or a couple of articles in the UK's bias newspapers. These victims are being forgotten and are only being referred to as numbers in stats, rather than actual people, who have names and families.

In order to see change, one of the things that needs to be done is facing the reality of loss, because nobody wins at the end of the day. Families are being broken apart and it's becoming a norm.

"It's either you end up dead, get locked up or have to watch your back because you've got the police and or your enemy after you; if you're unlucky you might end up getting all three."

The victims keep getting younger too. Fifteen year old's getting stabbed by 17 year old's who barely know how to slice Hardobread, but are quick to carry a knife and use it, over a look, a glance, a "postcode violation".

No matter what, nobody wants to die or have their freedom taken away from them at such a young age.

Just remember;

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Quote - Anon

RIP to the young souls lost in 2018 - 🙏🏾 

Victims mentioned below are under 30 years old.

#KVPlaylist: Russ - Gun Lean

"Remember I told yah!!!" South London Drill Rapper, Russ is going to be the next big thing in UK rap. He has a decent on-screen persona and is very engaging.

He's new track, 'Gun Lean' is a hit.

The song which entered the iTunes Chart at number 51, incorporates a dance also titled the 'Gun Lean'; "Which best believe I have on lock, Left, Right.". The feel of the video is entertaining, the dance reminds me of an old school Jamaican dance called, 'Willy Bounce'.

Russ is definitely adding something which is missing from The UK Drill scene..."Fun!!!"

Russ - Gun Lean (Still from Video)

'Gun Lean' has only been out for a few days and it's already got Twitter buzzing after Man United Midfielder, Jesse Linguard, done the dance whilst celebrating scoring a penalty.

The first time I heard about Russ was when I first saw his song, 'Link Up (London x Dublin)' which saw the collaboration of Russ and Irish Drill rappers, AV9 Chuks and J.B2.

After seeing Russ' Lightwork Freestyle 2, I started thinking about who I could see him collaborating with, and out of everyone in the scene, I definitely see him and Giggs making a banger. 

"Remember I told Yah"

Gun Lean is available to download from Spotify and iTunes.

KV Playlist: Stylo G - 'Touch Down' Remix

UK based Dancehall artist, Stylo G, secured two of the biggest artists in Hip Hop and Dancehall to feature on the remix version of his track, 'Touch Down'.

Stylo G x Nicki Minaj x Vybz Kartel

The self-proclaimed Queen of rap, Nicki Minaj and the King of Dancehall, Vybz Kartel, have joined Stylo G on the reggae/Hip Hop influenced song and with the talent that they each possess, this collaboration is one of the best I've heard in a long time.


The track produced by London based production and song writing team, The FaNaTiX, who have worked with the likes of  Popcaan, Giggs and Chip, has a catchy hook and gives you a touch of both Dancehall and Hip Hop in one song..."It's a Hybrid of the both genres."

Official Stylo G

The FaNaTiX

Check out Nicki spitting her verse from 'Touch Down'.

Go download 'Touch Down' via all reputable streaming websites and apps.

iTunes
Spotify
Amazon

ASOS VS Black Twitter

Online retailer ASOS have been called out for the branding they've used on socks available to buy from their website.

The socks have been title 'Roadman' and have slang phrases which are blatantly associated with the black community.

Picture originally from:@kelechnekoff (Twiiter)

Many black people took to Twitter to express their disgust and how offended they were by this range.

The socks which are embossed with slang like, "Don't Look Shook.", "Jokes" and "Mandem", are sold under the range called 'Roadman' as this is what ASOS and many of these clothing brands think is the highlight of the black community.

How Real Are The UK Charts?

UK rap is very much evolving and definitely making an impact on the charts lately. After seeing Dave and Fredo go to number one with the song, 'Funky Friday' and then seeing South London rapper, DigDat's track, 'AirForce' the Remix version featuring Krept & Konan and K-Trap, peaking at number 20 on the charts, it's something to be proud of and proud Krept definitely was.

DigDat's Air Force Remix

Krept took to Instagram to upload a picture congratulating "the scene"on a Drill song being top 20 (in the charts).

This did not sit well with UK Rapper, Giggs. He left a very straight to the point comment under the picture which was quickly deleted - by Krept or someone in the camp - but not before it was screen grabbed and circulated on social media though.

Giggs calls out Krept & Konan

Giggs called out Krept & Konan, pointing out their "Goal Hanging ways" and called their glory hunting, "Pathetic".

Shaunie Investigates: Is Stop and Search Really The Best Route?

Knife crime amongst young people has been a huge topic this year. Many discussions have been had by many people trying to solve this issue.

In November 2018, Piers Morgan and the Good Morning Britain programme finally invited a real panel of people on to the programme to discuss the rise in knife crime.

The panel consisted of people that were either directly or indirectly connected to knife crime.

(l-r) Alison Cope, Rico Finlayson, Justin Finlayson, Pastor Lorraine Jones, Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid, Omar Shariff, Leroy Logan MBE & Duncan Bew. 
Picture courtesy of Justin Finlayson (United Borders)

Pastor Lorraine Jones, who lost her son, Dwayne Simpson, 20, in 2014, when he was stabbed during an altercation.

Dwayne Simpson, 20,
died after being stabbed three times in 2013

Pastor Lorraine Jones
lost her son in 2014 to knife crime

Shaunie Investigates: London Police To Be Armed With Guns?

The Metropolitan Police have said that they will be going forward with plans for police officers in London to be armed with guns, in order to deal with the increase in knife crime and gang violence.

We already have armed police in the UK, but they are usually called when a person is suspected of having a weapon and are not a part of the general uniform for an officer 'on the beat'.
What does this mean for the youth that are already being targeted with daily stop and search routines by the police? Are we going to become America, where innocent black men are being killed by men and women in uniform?

A few incidents I have seen recently involving the public and police does not give me a comforting feeling when I think, "what if the officer had a gun?"
The police are already making huge errors in my eyes when it comes to stop and search, so how does officer's having guns change this?

Will they be given clear, precise rules on when and how the gun's should be used, or are we going to see a rise in black youth dying at the hands of police and their guns like we do in America?