MHD, a French rapper whose real name is Mohamed Sylla, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the murder of a 23-year-old man in Paris back in 2018. The victim, identified as Loic K, was killed in a gang-related attack where he was first knocked down by a black Mercedes and then attacked and stabbed by around 12 people in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. MHD and five other defendants were found guilty, while three men were acquitted.
According to reports, MHD denies being at the scene of the crime, but eyewitnesses filmed the attack and the Mercedes was identified to belong to the rapper. Additionally, another witness identified the artist by his haircut and jumper. The black Mercedes involved in the crime was found the following day near a parking lot, and had been set on fire. A video of the scene shows a person wearing a Puma tracksuit with dyed blonde hair, very similar to MHD’s look at the time.
MHD was one of the pioneers of the Afro Trap genre, and is widely known for his 2016 song “Afro Trap, Part. 7”. His final statement in court maintained his innocence, saying, “From the beginning, I have maintained my innocence in this case and I will continue to maintain my innocence.” The five other defendants who were jailed alongside him received prison terms ranging from 10 to 19 years.
The murder of Loic K is one of several incidents that have recently shaken the French rap industry. Another rapper, Samir Kerkour, who went by the name of Samix, was killed in August, and rapper Rohff was charged with aggravated assault after he was caught on camera attacking a shop assistant in a Paris boutique. These events have sparked concern amongst authorities and industry insiders about the increasing level of violence and gang culture in French rap
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