British drill rapper DigDat (real name: Nathan Tokosi) was found guilty of attempted murder and multiple charges related to firearms in connection with a November 2023 drive-by shooting in Notting Hill, London. The 25-year-old artist came to justice Tuesday (March 19) at London's Old Bailey, where a jury unanimously found him guilty following a harrowing trial.
Tokosi was behind the wheel of a stolen Audi when he fired at least six rounds at another vehicle, critically injuring 27-year-old Daniel Offei-Ntow, court reports say. The victim had been shot multiple times in the head, mouth, and torso but survived after emergency surgery.
Detective Constable Hannah Forrest of the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime South unit called the attack brutal. "This was a savage attack, with the victim needing emergency surgery after being shot to the body, mouth, and head," Forrest added. "The verdict demonstrates that this violent criminality will not be accepted on London's streets."
Tokosi, who hails from Deptford in southeast London, first gained traction in the UK drill scene in 2018 with his breakout hit "Air Force," which reached No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart. A remix featuring Krept & Konan and K-Trap gave the track even more power. His debut 2020 album, 'Ei8ht Mile,' featured collaborations with Aitch and D-Block Europe, establishing him as a player in the UK rap scene.
But Tokosi's musical career was beset by legal troubles. Detective Forrest stated, "Tokosi is a highly dangerous individual who had at the time of the shooting only just been released from prison after serving a sentence for a separate offense.
In addition, Tokosi was also found guilty of multiple firearms offenses, including possession of a firearm and ammunition to endanger life, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of ammunition without a valid firearms certificate.
Tokosi now faces a grim future of a lengthy prison sentence, even as sentencing has not yet been announced. His conviction is part of the ongoing discussion of whether drill music represents life as it is for many in the inner cities or whether it actively provokes crime.
As the drill scene evolves, where art ends and brutal violence begins remains a heated debate. DigDat's rise and fall are a cautionary tale about artists' choices when negotiating success and street credibility. As the dust settles on his career, the UK Drill scene holds its breath, eager to see the full ramifications.
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