BBC to be ‘grilled’ by Culture Secretary after showcasing rapper who killed Jimmy Mizen
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is set to summon BBC executives to explain why they featured a convicted killer on BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Introducing show.
The BBC has come under fire for showcasing Jake Fahri, who performed under the name TEN, and describing him as an “up-and-coming star” on Theo Johnson’s programme.
Jake Fahri, 35, who was responsible for the murder of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen in a south London bakery in 2008, was arrested and recalled by police yesterday.
Previously, the rapper had served 14 years in jail for the murder, but was recalled to prison after he breached his licence conditions.
The corporation has yet to issue an apology for broadcasting the rapper’s music on their platform, although BBC chiefs have said that they were unaware of Fahri’s background when they aired his music.
The broadcaster confirmed they have “no further plans” to play his tracks on their stations.
Two of Fahri’s tracks had been played twice on the radio network, according to the BBC.
Fahri, who boasted about murder in his songs, was spotted in a music video by The Sun newspaper on Greenwich Peninsula in east London – with Canary Wharf visible in the background.
The video in question, titled “Dirty Game,” shows Fahri rapping alongside luxury vehicles and other masked men at Blackwall Point Draw Dock – within his lifetime exclusion zone.
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Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has described Jimmy’s death as “a horrendous case”.
“I think the BBC in particular will want to reflect on the featuring of the person who killed him,” she told LBC.
“I think it’s deeply difficult and insensitive for the family.
“This is a discussion I will have with the BBC, but I think it’s right that we take action on that and make sure that we all get this right,” Nandy added.
The move to summon BBC executives follows Conservative culture spokesman Stuart Andrew’s call for a probe in the Commons.
Ten’s lyrics included the lines: “Stuck it on a man and watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s. Sharpen up my blade I’ve got to keep those necessary.
“Stay alert and kept it ready, any corner could be deadly. Judge took a look at me, before the trial even started he already knows he’s gonna throw the book at me.”
A BBC spokesman defended their position, saying: “This individual does not feature on any BBC playlists, we have never played – as we pointed out to the Sun – the lyrics they have printed.”
“1Xtra has no further plans to play his music, we were not aware of his background and we in no way condone his actions.”