James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia
Updated 23:26 Mar 12, 2023, 23:26 Mar 12, 2023
- Rap group OneFour suspends activities
- Police raid group at boxing event
- Members who accompanied Paulo Aoxo
Infamous drill rap group OneFour were raided by police at the Qudos Bank Arena and banned from performing Australian boxing star Paulo Aokuso’s strike song.
The incident occurred during the undercard battle leading up to a blockbuster showdown between Tim Tsuju and Tony Harrison on Sunday afternoon.
Olympian Paulo Aoxo asked OneFour to play their new song Comma’s while in the ring against Cuban Yunieski Gonzalez, but the police listened in.
Drill rap artists – a genre defined by themes of violence, murder and death – made headlines in 2019 after a national tour was shut down by police due to safety concerns.
Police believed rival gangs could provoke violence if seen showing up and performing at the Quds Bank Arena.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the One Four members were propped up against a garage door and searched for weapons and drugs by anti-gang Raptor Squad officers.
Members of the group joined Aokusa in the match to watch the light heavyweight Mount Druitt pull off an exciting victory.
OneFour has since issued a statement addressing the incident at the boxing event.
“It’s not about us today, it’s about Paulo, Tim and the other fighters here today,” Onefor said.
“But it’s a shame that we’re always denied the opportunity to improve our people.
“No matter how many obstacles the authorities put in front of us, we are doing our best to overcome them.
“Such situations further strengthen our determination to succeed.”
A spokesperson for the New South Wales Police said the safety of event attendees is a top priority.
“At major events, NSW Police work closely with venues and event organizers to ensure the safety and security of participants, the wider community and officers in attendance.
“Police will not tolerate acts of violence in public, nor will they tolerate behavior (including music) that clearly incites or induces reprisal or other acts of violence in NSW.”
Earlier this year, OneFour’s founding members were deported from Australia after serving four and a half years in prison for brutally bashing a pub in a western suburb of Sydney.
Drill rap has come under fire around the world, with authorities in the US and UK calling for a ban on music inspired by street life, fearing it encourages violence.