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 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), [43] [44] 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. [45] 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. [46] 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. [43]

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. [47]

In 2024, Bandokay was arrested at Gatwick Airport over firearms offences. On 15 January he appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court and was charged with possession of a handgun and ammunition without a licence. [48]

Discography

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details and peak chart positions
TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
UK
[49]
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
[49]
"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" [51]
(featuring GRM Daily)		2021—
"Hashtag" [52]
(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
[49]
"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 [53]

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.

67 are a British hip hop collective originally composed of rappers LD, Monkey, Dimzy, Liquez, ASAP and SJ. The group has expanded since its inception, with many new members joining. They are best known for their 2016 track "Lets Lurk", and are widely regarded as highly influential on the UK drill scene. They were nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2016 MOBO Awards.

Nathan Tokosi, known professionally as DigDat, is a British rapper from Deptford, London. His single "Air Force" peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart following the release of the remix featuring Krept and Konan and K-Trap; this was the first time one of his tracks had entered the top 20. His next single, "No Cap" with Loski, peaked at number 51.

Daniel Richie Lena, known professionally as Unknown T, is a British rapper. His post release album Rise Above Hate (2020) was a major hit on the UK music scene, the album reaching the top of the charts in its first couple of weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headie One</span> British rapper

Irving Ampofo Adjei, known professionally as Headie One, is a British rapper and singer. In 2018 he released his second solo mixtape, titled ‘The One’, which included the single "Know Better" featuring rapper RV, it became an "underground hit". Headie One is a member of the UK drill group OFB and is considered to be a pioneer innovator of the UK drill scene.

Jordan Craig Townsend, known professionally as Rv, is a British rapper and songwriter whose mixtape Drillers and Trappers 2 with rapper Headie One reached number 21 on the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Music x Road</i> 2019 mixtape by Headie One

Music x Road is a commercial mixtape by British rapper Headie One. It was released by Relentless Records on 23 August 2019. It features guest appearances from Dave, Skepta, Stefflon Don, Nav, Lotto Ash, RV, and Krept and Konan. All featured artists are fellow British rappers also, with the exception of Nav, who is Canadian. The mixtape peaked at number 5 on the UK Albums Chart.

Deno Michael Mebrahtu, known mononymously as Deno, is a British singer, songwriter, rapper and actor from London. His parents are originally from Eritrea, and he was raised in South London. He came to the forefront of London's afro-wave music scene beginning in 2018 with a number of viral music videos and hit songs.

<i>Edna</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Headie One

Edna is the debut studio album by British rapper Headie One. It was released by Relentless Records on 9 October 2020. The album features guest appearances from M Huncho, AJ Tracey, Stormzy, Young T & Bugsey, Young Adz, Future, Drake, Skepta, Ivorian Doll, Kenny Beats, Aitch, Haile, Mahalia, and Kaash Paige. A deluxe version of the album was released on 12 February 2021 which features guest appearances from Rich the Kid, NorthSideBenji, Burna Boy and RV.

Andre Michael Loblack, known professionally as 808Melo or 808MeloBeats, is a British record producer and songwriter from Ilford, East London. 808Melo is credited as a pioneer of UK drill and Brooklyn drill and is known for his bass heavy percussion. In 2019, he produced Pop Smoke's debut mixtape, Meet the Woo. He also produced most of the songs on Pop Smoke's sophomore mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, and he helped produce Pop Smoke's posthumous album Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 artist charts in July 2020. 808Melo has also produced songs for Travis Scott, Fivio Foreign, and Lil Tjay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sus (rapper)</span> British rapper and convicted murderer

Tariq Kenedy Mangal Monteiro, known professionally as Sus or Suspect, is a British rapper and convicted murderer; he is a member of the UK drill collective Active Gxng, who are based in the Agar Grove estate within Camden Town, London. He released his debut mixtape, Suspicious Activity, in 2022.

Rhys Angelo Emile Herbert, known professionally as Digga D, is a British rapper. He rose to fame in 2017 along with his UK drill collective CGM. His mixtapes Double Tap Diaries and Made In The Pyrex reached No. 11 and 3 on the UK Albums Chart, respectively. His third mixtape Noughty By Nature was released on 15 April 2022, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart. His fourth mixtape Back To Square One was released in August 2023.

<i>Made in the Pyrex</i> 2021 mixtape by Digga D

Made in the Pyrex is the second commercial mixtape by British rapper Digga D. It was released on 26 February 2021 by CGM. It features guest appearances from AJ Tracey, M1llionz, Sav'o and ZK.

A92 is an Irish drill collective based in Drogheda. Named after the postal code of Drogheda town, A92 was formed in 2020 and went viral following the release of "Plugged In Freestyle".

Aaron Philips, known professionally as Abra Cadabra, is a British rapper and singer from Tottenham, London. He is a member of the UK drill group OFB.

Kemani Kane Duggan, known professionally as Bandokay, is a British rapper. He is a member of the UK drill group OFB.

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

Frontstreet is the debut mixtape by OFB with SJ, Bandokay and Double Lz. The mixtape was released on 14 November 2019 under Rattrap Reality; the name of the mixtape is derived from a part of the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham.

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.

Bradley Robert Moss, known professionally as Ghosty, is a British record producer and DJ. He is regarded as one of the UK's best producers in the country's music industry. He gained widespread recognition in the UK music scene after he produced Digga D's "No Diet" in 2019, which peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart and was later included on Double Tap Diaries. Other notable projects he has produced are Central Cee's "Molly" and 22Gz's mixtape Growth and Development.

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.
  8. ↑ "Headie One". Official Charts Company . Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  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.
  11. ↑ Oke, Tobi (22 March 2019). "Headie One And RV Return With 'Drillers x Trappers II' Mixtape". Complex . Archived from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  12. ↑ "Drillers and Trappers 2". Official Charts Company . Archived from the original on 30 March 2019.
  13. ↑ "match day | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Archived from the original on 7 November 2019.
  14. ↑ "The Ones: Bandokay and Double Lz's "Mad About Bars"". Pitchfork. 7 October 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  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 release "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. ↑ "Bradz (OFB) returns with 'Next Graft' visuals". Link Up Tv. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ W, Courtney (25 October 2021). "OFB's Delsa Drops Off Visuals For 'Spill'". grmdaily.com.
  25. ↑ "Dezzie unveils brand-new 'Bad Breed' visuals". Link Up Tv. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  26. ↑ 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 18 February 2022.
  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. ↑ "PREMIERE: (OFB) RV, LOWKEY, TUGGZY, SKAT & KASH LINK UP FOR "DUNKIRK" VIDEO". grmdaily.com. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  43. 1 2 Swann, Steve; Mackintosh, Thomas (12 November 2020). "Killed in 2019: Who has been brought to justice?". bbc.com. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  44. ↑ 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.
  45. ↑ "Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck: Fight breaks out in court as killers jailed". bbc.com. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  46. ↑ "Old Bailey protest: Carl Stanbury jailed for jumping into court". bbc.com. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  47. ↑ 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.
  48. ↑ France, Anthony (22 January 2024). "Mark Duggan's rapper son arrested at Gatwick Airport over firearms offences". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  49. 1 2 3 "OFB | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Official Charts Company . Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  50. 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.
  51. ↑ 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.
  52. ↑ Evans, Elle (26 February 2021). "OFB's Bandokay & Double Lz Team Up For "Hashtag"". Mixtape Madness . Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  53. ↑ W, Courtney (29 June 2020). "RATED AWARDS 2020: HERE ARE THE NOMINEES!". grmdaily.com. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.