In a decision that reverberated across the Bronx, 22-year-old rapper Kay Flock, real name Kevin Perez, was handed a 30-year prison term on Tuesday.
Judge’s Rationale
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who criticized Perez for sending a “wrong message” to young peers by glorifying violence during a less-than-18-month stretch from 2020 to 2021. Liman said, “You taunted, you celebrated and you helped create a cycle of violence,” and noted that Perez bragged on social media that he was exonerated on the top count while writing “KILL ALL RATS” on Instagram after a trial in which gang members testified against him. The judge called Perez a “man of promise” but emphasized that a lengthy sentence was necessary for four separate shootings that injured multiple people while he led the gang known as “Sev Side/DOA.”
Music Career and Controversy
Perez was named Billboard Magazine’s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month in November 2021 following the release of his debut album, “The D.O.A. Tape.” The album positioned him as a newcomer in New York’s drill rap scene, which is known for performers who wield weapons and use lyrics that contain slang about violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick R. Moroney pointed out that the music included threats and taunts and urged the judge to impose a 50-year sentence, a figure that the court’s Probation Department officer also recommended.
Defense and Prosecutorial Arguments
Prosecutors argued that Perez signed with a music label and used violence to further his career, writing that “The music that had glorified gang violence made the defendant famous and now rich.” They accused him of encouraging violence through private messages. Defense attorney Michael Ashley requested a mandatory minimum of 10 years, citing Perez’s upbringing in one of the nation’s most dangerous neighborhoods and the influence of an older man who encouraged gang activity. Judge Liman noted that the crimes occurred while Perez’s brain was “still evolving and maturing” and that six of his friends had died from gun violence before he turned 18.
Key Takeaways
- Kay Flock, 22, receives a 30-year sentence after judge cites his glorification of violence and four Bronx shootings.
- Prosecutors highlighted that his music promoted gang violence and helped build his fame.
- The defense argued for leniency based on Perez’s youth and environment, but the judge emphasized lack of remorse.
The ruling underscores the legal consequences of using music as a platform for violence and the court’s willingness to impose severe penalties for repeated offenses.
