The Ministry of Justice has launched an urgent investigation into Jake Farhi, a convicted murderer, following reports that he is behind violent drill music referencing his 2008 killing of 16-year-old Jimmy Mizen in South London.
Farhi, now 35, was convicted in 2009 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years for fatally injuring Jimmy with a glass dish. Released on license in June 2023, Farhi has reportedly rebranded himself as “TEN,” a masked drill artist whose lyrics are laden with violent imagery.
Drill Music Lyrics Allegedly Reference Jimmy Mizen’s Death
TEN’s music, available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, appears to allude to the 2008 attack. In one track, he raps:
“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.”
Another track includes the chilling line:
“See a man’s soul fly from his eyes and his breath gone… Seeing blood spilled same floor he was left on.”
The Ministry of Justice has confirmed it is investigating these claims as a priority. A spokesperson stated, “We take any material that could glorify violence or distress victims extremely seriously.”
Jimmy Mizen’s Family Speaks Out Against Music
Jimmy’s mother, Margaret Mizen, expressed her shock at discovering the songs, calling the lyrics “horrendous.” She said:
“How can someone be allowed to play this kind of music? To hide behind a balaclava and glorify violence shows a lack of accountability.”
Despite this, Mrs. Mizen reaffirmed her family’s commitment to spreading a message of forgiveness, peace, and hope through the Jimmy Mizen Foundation, which supports young people fleeing violence in London.
Mrs. Mizen also voiced disappointment with the BBC, which played two of TEN’s tracks on Radio 1Xtra’s Introducing show. While the tracks aired did not contain murder references, Mrs. Mizen called for an explanation. A BBC spokesperson responded, stating the artist does not feature on their playlists and that there are no plans to play his music further.
Calls for Accountability as Investigation Continues
The Mizens have urged authorities to hold Farhi accountable, fearing his music could glorify violence and inspire others. Mrs. Mizen emphasized the importance of positive role models for young people, saying:
“Our children need messages of forgiveness, peace, and hope—not these dreadful rap songs filled with horrible words.”
As the Ministry of Justice continues its investigation, questions remain over how Farhi was able to create and distribute music with such content while under license.
