Hammond said Mohammed gained a lot of credibility in the gang world because of his association with Pressa and the Driftwood Crips, a much older gang than B.C.’s BK. And like other aspiring rappers, he was able to expand his reach through his social media posts. “I think he got a lot of street cred because of his ties to Driftwood and because of everything he was putting online. He was doing the drill rap,” Hammond said. “Now with the reach of social media, these
gangs are international.” Mohammed posted incessantly, even while on the run from authorities. Firearms, stacks of cash, luxury purchases and violent lyrics were constant features on his Instagram. Some of his posts appeared to contain admissions of crimes. At the time of his murder, he was a suspect in several killings in B.C. and Ontario, but was never charged. Hammond said “bragging on social media about crimes you’ve committed is a thing now.” But if the posts are brought up in court, the defence usually
portrays the lyrics as artistic reflections of what’s happening in communities, as opposed to evidence of a crime, he said.
Vancouver gangs, Toronto gangs, drill rap, social media, Instagram, Driftwood Crips, Pressa, BK, firearms, cash, luxury purchases, criminal admissions, court defence, Mohammed
Instagram proof now? wild.
So basically he posted a bunch and then got famous and that’s why gangs are international? I mean, social media is everywhere already. Feels like blaming the phone when it’s really people being violent.
I don’t get how lyrics are “evidence” but also “art.” Like if you say you did it, isn’t that pretty much it? Or are they saying the whole drill rap thing is just a metaphor… even though he’s buying stuff and posting cash??
This makes me think the whole Pressa/Crips thing is the real story not even the gang wars. Like the article keeps saying Vancouver vs Toronto but they’re acting like Driftwood Crips is older so that automatically means more credibility? Also “murder” and “never charged” like how does that work, did they not know, or did the posts not matter? Social media murders people and then courts go “it’s just art” lol.