OFB (rap group)

Last updated

OFB
Origin Broadwater Farm, London, England
Genres
Years active2016–present
LabelsRattrap Reality
Members See list

OFB, short for Original Farm Boys, is a British hip hop collective based in Broadwater Farm, North London. OFB is one of the most prominent UK drill groups. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

History

Headie One (formerly Headz) and RV (formerly Young RV) are among the most prominent members of the group. They were both originally rappers in Star Gang, a road rap group from the 2000s and an offshoot group from the Tottenham Mandem gang. [4] RV and Headie One have frequently collaborated with each other, including co-releasing the mixtapes Sticks & Stones (2016) and Drillers x Trappers (2017). [5] In February 2018, Headie One released his solo mixtape, The One. The mixtape included the song "Know Better" featuring RV, which became an "underground hit". This was followed by another solo mixtape, The One Two, in June 2018, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 32. [6]

Bandokay, Double Lz and SJ are the younger members within OFB, initially signifying their status using the name Y.OFB (Young OFB), before later dropping the "Y." and co-opting the "OFB" prefix older members of the group used. [3] Bandokay, whose real name is Kemani Duggan, is the son of Mark Duggan, the man whose death by police shooting led to the 2011 England riots. [1] [2] Bandokay credited music for keeping him away from crime, and stated his desire to be away from police as a motivator: [1]

"Whenever [the police] see me, they stop me, I get what they're trying to do – they're trying to take weapons. But I know they purposely stop me more than anyone else. They know who I am. They know who my dad is. So that's why I'm trying to go through music and do something positive, so they don't have nothing to say about me."

Bandokay credited fellow OFB rapper Headie One as a major influence, as well as UK drill group 67 and American rapper Lil Durk. [1] Double Lz noted Giggs, American rapper Quando Rondo, and the Chicago drill scene in general as influences. [7]

In January 2019, Headie One released "18Hunna", featuring Dave, which entered the UK chart at number 6 - the highest a drill artist, at the time, had ever charted, and has gained over 15 million views on YouTube, as of February 2022. [8] [9] Following RV's release from prison, [10] on 22 March 2019, RV and Headie One released a third mixtape called Drillers x Trappers II. [11] It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 21. [12] "Match Day", the first single from the mixtape, entered the Singles Chart at number 86. [13]

In 2019, the OFB released their first collective mixtape titled Frontstreet , named after a road in Broadwater Farm that locals call "Front Street". [1] [3] Dazed Digital called the mixtape "one of the best British debuts of the decade". [2] In 2019, following the release of SJ's "Youngest In Charge", which has gained over 27 million views on YouTube as of February 2022, it was revealed SJ had been arrested was currently facing trial for a murder charge; [3] [14] while waiting for his trial, SJ was offered a £150k deal with an unknown record label. [15] SJ was later convicted and sentenced to life with a minimum of 21 years. [16] His sentence would later be reduced to a minimum of 19 years in 2021, which was announced via his Instagram account. [17] Like many other drill groups, OFB has had its songs taken down by YouTube at the request of the Metropolitan Police. In 2019, OFB's own YouTube channel was also taken down, before later being reinstated the next day. Bandokay stated they were trying to clean up their music in order to avoid takedowns. [1]

Current members

The list below includes confirmed members of OFB

Former members

In February 2019, Boogie B, real name Demario Williams, was jailed for life with minimum term of 20 years for the murder of Dotty, real name Lewis Blackman, which occurred in February 2018. Lawrence Nkunku-Linongi, who had a previous conviction for carrying a knife, and Paul Glasgow, were handed minimum terms of 18 years for the same crime. Thierry Edusei, who had been on bail on suspicion of violent offences at the time, was handed 11 years for manslaughter. [42] [43] Demario's case is frequently mentioned in the lyrics of OFB rappers.

In 2020, SJ, whose real name is Jayden O'Neill-Crichlow, alongside four others (Sheareem Cookhorn, Tyrell "Trills" Graham, Shane "Sneakz" Lyons and Ojay "O'Sav" Hamilton), [44] [45] was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years for the murder of 19-year-old Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck in Wood Green. The convicted group was reportedly linked to Tottenham gang NPK. [46] Fights broke out in the dock and the public gallery in reaction to the sentencing. Carl Stanbury, the partner of Lyons' mother, later received seven months in jail for jumping from the public gallery in protest. [47] SJ’s sentence was later reduced to a minimum of 19 years in 2021, which was announced via his Instagram account. [17] Before his sentence, he received a reprimand for the possession of a bladed article at age 14. [44]

In 2022, Bandokay and Double Lz were charged with violent disorder following a 2021 incident at a Selfridges store, in which two people were stabbed. [48]

In 2024, Bandokay was arrested at Gatwick Airport over firearms offences. On 15th of January he appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court and was charged with possession of a handgun and ammunition without a licence. [49] On 3 July he pleaded guilty for possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Two days later, Bandokay, real name Kemani Duggan, was given a five years jail sentence. [50]

Discography

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details and peak chart positions
TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
UK
[51]
Frontstreet
(with SJ, Bandokay and Double Lz)		36
Drill Commandments
(with Bandokay and Double Lz)
  • Released: 19 March 2021
  • Label: Rattrap Reality
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
53

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, with selected peak chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[51]
"Ambush"
(featuring Double Lz, Bandokay and SJ)		2019—Frontstreet
"Youngest In Charge"—
"OT Boppin"
(with Bandokay and Double Lz)		202091Non-album singles
"BLM"
(with Bandokay and Double Lz featuring Abra Cadabra)		63
"Daily Duppy" [53]
(featuring GRM Daily)		2021—
"Hashtag" [54]
(with BandoKay and Double Lz)		—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles, with selected peak chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[51]
"Skrr"
(Yxng Bane featuring OFB)		201974Non-single album
"Magic"
(Ill Blu featuring OFB, BandoKay and Double Lz)		202046The BLUPRINT
"Circles"
(Deno featuring OFB, BandoKay and Double Lz)		202136Boy Meets World

Awards and nominations

YearAwardNominated workCategoryResultRef.
2020GRM Daily Rated AwardsFrontstreetMixtape of the YearNominated [55]

Related Research Articles

The Tottenham Mandem were an organised street gang based in Tottenham, North London, that began on the Broadwater Farm estate prior to the Broadwater Farm riot in 1985. One of the early members and later leader Mark Lambie was a suspect in the murder of PC Keith Blakelock during that riot. Lambie had been top of Operation Trident's wanted list due to the close links he had built with gangs in Wembley, Harlesden and south London. He was jailed in 2002. During the 90s, TMD was one of the largest gangs in North London and controlled much of the drug markets in the area.

UK drill is a subgenre of drill music and road rap that originated in the South London district of Brixton from 2012 onwards. While being sonically distinct from Chicago drill music, it embraces its aesthetic and melds it with road rap, a British style of gangsta rap that became popular in the years prior to the existence of drill. UK drill lyrical content tends to be truculent, depicting the harsh realism of their lifestyles. The explicit lyricism has stimulated discussion about whether the subgenre is a factor in an increase in knife crime in London. Gang affiliation and socioeconomically-deprived backgrounds are common amongst UK drill artists.

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<i>Frontstreet</i> (album) 2019 mixtape by OFB

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Andre Deer, known professionally as Double Lz, is a British rapper and songwriter. He is a member of the UK drill group OFB. Debuting in 2018, he released two mixtapes - Frontstreet and Drill Commandments - alongside Bandokay and SJ in 2019 and 2021, respectively. He released his debut solo mixtape, Two Lz Make a Win, in 2022.

Jyrelle Justin O'Connor, known professionally as Loski, is a British rapper and singer from Kennington, London. He is part of the Kennington-based UK drill group Harlem Spartans.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Thapar, Ciaran (6 September 2019). "UK drill rappers OFB: 'No one helps us round here. Music is the only way'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 Dazed (11 December 2019). "The 20 best albums of 2019". Dazed. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "The Drop: The Best UK Drill of November 2019". Passion of the Weiss. 14 November 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  4. ↑ "Heart of a lion: the rise of Headie One". The Face. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  5. ↑ Daly, Rhian (21 March 2019). "Watch RV and Headie One's football-themed video for 'Match Day'". NME . Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  6. ↑ "The One Two". Official Charts Company . Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Get To Know Bandokay & Double Lz, The Fresh-Faced Stars Of OFB". complex.com. 1 April 2021. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
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  9. ↑ "Who is Headie One and what is the '18 Hunna' challenge?". The Official Big Top 40 . Global. 15 January 2019. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "What Do You Mean You Haven't Heard Of... RV?". SCAN . 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
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  15. ↑ Harrison, Ellie (30 January 2020). "Jayden O'Neill-Crichlow: Drill rapper jailed for murder offered £150k record deal while in prison awaiting trial". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  16. ↑ "Five jailed for Wood Green murder". Mynewsdesk. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  17. 1 2 "OFB's SJ Gets His Sentence Reduced From 21 Years To 19 Years". theshadeborough.com. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  18. 1 2 "OFB's DSavv & Akz shut up "Pocket Rocket"". GRM Daily. 14 March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  19. ↑ Thapar, Ciaran (6 September 2019). "UK drill rappers OFB: 'No one helps us round here. Music is the only way'". theguardian.com. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  20. ↑ "OFB's Blitty Offloads Raw New Tune "3'S"". grmdaily.com. 22 July 2021. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  21. ↑ "(OFB) BOOGIE B LETS OFF NEW HEATER "ALGEBRA PROBLEMS"". grmdaily.com. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  22. ↑ "Bradz (OFB) returns with 'Next Graft' visuals". Link Up Tv. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  23. ↑ "OFB's Dee One Delivers Cold 'Next Up? Freestyle". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 8 May 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  24. ↑ "OFB'S LOWKEY, D1, HEADIE ONE, KASH & BRADZ WAGE "WAR" IN NEW VISUALS". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  25. ↑ W, Courtney (25 October 2021). "OFB's Delsa Drops Off Visuals For 'Spill'". grmdaily.com.
  26. ↑ "Dezzie unveils brand-new 'Bad Breed' visuals". Link Up Tv. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  27. 1 2 "OFB's DZ and YF drop 'Back 2 Back'". Link Up Tv. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  28. ↑ Rathod, Nikita. "The New New: 14 U.K. Rappers You Should Know - XXL". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  29. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (8 January 2020). "UK drill rapper Headie One jailed for six months for carrying knife". The Guardian . Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  30. ↑ "OFB's Izzpot drops visuals for new track "Free S"". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 12 January 2020. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  31. ↑ "PREMIERE: OFB'S KASH ONE7 OFFLOADS VISUALS FOR ALL-NEW TUNE "SIRENS"". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  32. ↑ "OFB's Kush provides hard tune "No Biggie"". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 3 November 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  33. ↑ "Drillers x Trappers II: RV and Headie One release mixtape and 'Match Day'". Plugsville. 22 March 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  34. ↑ "The Ones: OFB Munie's "Lightwork Freestyle"". Pitchfork. 7 August 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  35. ↑ Shingi Mararike, Tom Harper and (10 March 2019). "Knife attackers use YouTube to issue death threats from prison". The Sunday Times. ISSN   0956-1382. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  36. ↑ "HERITAGE: Before They Were Charting, Headie One And RV Were Repping Tottenham To The Fullest In This Classic Cypher (2010)". trenchtrenchtrench.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  37. ↑ Harrison, Ellie (30 January 2020). "Jayden O'Neill-Crichlow: Drill rapper jailed for murder offered £150k record deal while in prison awaiting trial". indepenedent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  38. ↑ "Headie One Links Up with Skat for OFB Collab, "Water"". Versus.uk.com. 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  39. ↑ W, Courtney (4 November 2020). "OFB's ZeZe Unveils 'Reality' Visuals". grmdaily.com. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  40. ↑ "OFB's Munie & Zilla join forces for "Can't Save These Shots"". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 27 June 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  41. ↑ W, Courtney (19 June 2020). "Premiere: OFB's JS Comes Through With 'Ride Out' Visuals". grmdaily.com. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  42. ↑ Osborne, Samuel (15 February 2019). "Boys 'laughed and joked' after fatally stabbing teenager in street outside party". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  43. ↑ "Lewis Blackman murder: Teenagers jailed after stabbing". bbc.com. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  44. 1 2 Swann, Steve; Mackintosh, Thomas (12 November 2020). "Killed in 2019: Who has been brought to justice?". bbc.com. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  45. ↑ Kirk, Tristan (29 January 2020). "Unmasked: Teenage killer is drill rapper offered £150k record deal while in prison charged with murder". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  46. ↑ "Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck: Fight breaks out in court as killers jailed". bbc.com. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  47. ↑ "Old Bailey protest: Carl Stanbury jailed for jumping into court". bbc.com. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  48. ↑ Kirk, Tristan (31 January 2022). "Mark Duggan's brother and son accused of being in Selfridges brawl where two people were stabbed". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  49. ↑ France, Anthony (22 January 2024). "Mark Duggan's rapper son arrested at Gatwick Airport over firearms offences". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  50. ↑ McCarthy, James (5 July 2024). "Mark Duggan's rapper son jailed over gun crime". bbc.com. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  51. 1 2 3 "OFB | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company . Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  52. 1 2 3 4 "British certifications – OFB". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 6 October 2022.Type OFB in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  53. ↑ Archibald-Powell, Naimah (15 February 2021). "Premiere: OFB's Bandokay, Double Lz & Izzpot Step Up For Highly-Anticipated 'Daily Duppy'". GRM Daily . Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  54. ↑ Evans, Elle (26 February 2021). "OFB's Bandokay & Double Lz Team Up For "Hashtag"". Mixtape Madness . Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  55. ↑ W, Courtney (29 June 2020). "RATED AWARDS 2020: HERE ARE THE NOMINEES!". grmdaily.com. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
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