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Krept recovering after being “slashed” at BBC Radio 1Xtra show
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 7 October 2019
Rapper Krept of Krept & Konan has assured fans that he is “good” after being assaulted backstage at a BBC Radio 1Xtra Live event in Birmingham on Saturday. The show, which was being broadcast live on Radio 1 and 1Xtra, was brought to a close earlier than intended following the incident.
In a statement, police said that the rapper had “sustained a slash wound during an assault at around 10pm”. He was treated by onsite medical staff and did not need to go to hospital. As yet no arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.
The sold out show at Arena Birmingham was set to be headlined by Wizkid, but his set and a performance by French Montana were cancelled when the event was ended early, just after a surprise appearance by AJ Tracey. Other performers who did appear included Ms Banks, Headie One, Stylo G and DaniLeigh. Krept was not actually billed as a performer at the show.
A statement from the BBC announcing the cancellation said: “Following an isolated serious incident, we have had to stop 1Xtra Live in Birmingham. We are co-operating fully with the police to establish what has happened”.
A second statement later added: “We’re sorry to everyone who attended 1Xtra Live in Birmingham for the early finish; however, the health and safety of everyone involved is always our top priority. We are upset and saddened that something like this should happen to a guest at one of our events and we remain in close contact and continue to offer our full support”.
In his own statement in the early hours of Sunday morning, Krept wrote on Twitter: “My people, thanks for the messages. I’m good, I’ll be back in no time. God was with me, trust me. Can’t keep a good man down”.
He later added on Instagram: “Was really looking forward to this week, so I’m keeping the same energy I had. It’s gonna be a good week. Thank you for all the messages. I’m good, truss me. Could have been a lot worse. Stay positive, my people”.
Krept & Konan have recently used their public profile to speak out against legal action that has been pursued against certain artists in certain genres – in particular against rappers on the UK drill scene – who they feel are being unfairly targeted by police and the courts because of links between their scene and the recent rise in gang violence and knife crime.
Arguing that encouraging participation in music is, in fact, a good way to steer young people away from gangs, the duo released a song and launched a petition protesting the use of the Serious Crime Act to silence drill acts. In June, they also spoke at a parliamentary debate, alongside Skengdo & AM, who earlier this year were jailed for breaching an injunction that barred them from performing their track ‘Attempted 1.0’.
According to BBC News, security had already been doubled prior to the 1Xtra event on Saturday due to safety concerns. Those backstage were put through the same airport-style checks as members of the public entering to watch the show.
In a separate incident, a man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a knife at one of the main doors into the venue.
The BBC has said that security was the responsibility of the venue. Arena Birmingham has not commented, although a notice on its website states that its “security measures … are under constant review”.
