RAPPER Krept was stabbed and robbed after a notorious gang spotted him with a rival backstage at a gig, insiders claim. London born star Krept, real name Casyo Johnson, 29, was backstage in a VIP area when he was pounced on after being caught up in a brawl at Radio 1Xtra Live. An insider said: […]
RAPPER Krept was stabbed and robbed after a notorious gang spotted him with a rival backstage at a gig, insiders claim.
London born star Krept, real name Casyo Johnson, 29, was backstage in a VIP area when he was pounced on after being caught up in a brawl at Radio 1Xtra Live.
An insider said: “Krept was sitting in the VIP section of the club and there was a Birmingham gangster – who’s just got out of prison for robbery and gun offences – in the next booth.
“Krept wasn’t with him but this gangster has just been signed as a rapper, so Krept said hello and acknowledged him.
“The other rapper – who’s a member of the Get Money Gang – left and a few minutes later a load of boys from the Johnson Crew burst in and started to demand to know where he was because they’ve got beef with him.”
The BBC confirmed they are probing the horror attack and are working with the security team at the arena and West Midlands Police in a bid to trace the knifeman.
Questions have been raised about how the man got a blade through strict, airport-style security at the venue.
Punters going into the arena were made to walk through security scanners and had their bags searched.
The insider added: “They went up to Krept and screamed ‘where is he? Where is he?’ Krept said he didn’t know, but they started grabbing his chains. He was wearing jewellery worth thousands and thousands.”
“Then they started slashing at him and trying to stab him. The Johnson Crew are a serious gang and they don’t muck about, so he was lucky to get out of there alive.
“That’s how crazy it was, he had nothing to do with this gangster, but he was attacked and robbed just because he was seen talking to him.”
It’s unknown whether the individual had bought a ticket for the event or if they were a guest of one of the performers.
Five-time Mobo award-winner Krept spoke out today following the incident on Saturday night and confirmed he was fine.
He tweeted: “My people thanks for the messages I’m good, I’ll be back in no time. God was with me trust me. Can’t keep a good man down.”
He was treated at the scene by an ambulance crew but did not need hospital treatment.
The Johnson Crew were formed in the late 80s to combat white supremacists before quickly descending into serious criminality.
They initially focused on overcoming the Jamaican-born Yardies who would bully and threaten local “homeboys” who they considered soft.
By the mid 1990s the Johnson Crew had over-run the local Yardies by employing the same brutal tactics as their enemy.
In 1997 police arrested several high-ranking members of the Johnson Crew after a DJ, Jason Wharton, was shot dead in his car in Handsworth
The local black community refused to co-operate with cops but witnesses gave evidence from behind bullet-proof screens and were allowed to wear disguises.
The trial at Leicester Crown Court led to several convictions.
It wasn’t until the murders of innocent teenagers Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis in 2003 that the Johnson Crew was again thrown into infamy.
A source said of the gig attack: “This was a serious incident and it has shocked everyone. Krept did not know the individual and was simply unlucky to be caught up in it.
“What’s worrying is how someone with a knife managed to gain access to the VIP areas where the artists are and backstage in general.
“It’s a miracle it wasn’t worse. The BBC need to provide answers and give assurances this won’t happen again.
“They don’t control security but they’re the organisers. They risk-assessed it and it happened on their watch.”
The BBC said: “Following an isolated serious incident, we have had to stop 1Xtra Live in Birmingham. We are co-operating fully with the police to establish what has happened .
“We’re sorry to everyone who attended 1Xtra Live in Birmingham for the early finish, however the health and safety of everyone involved is always our top priority.
“We are upset and saddened that something like this should happen to a guest at one of our events and we remain in close contact and continue to offer our full support.”
West Midlands Police are continuing to investigate the incident and have asked potential witnesses to come forward.
The event at the 15,000 capacity Arena Birmingham had sold out.
On the night, acts including chart topper AJ Tracey and rapper Ms Banks, who performed at the Brits with Little Mix, were on the bill.
American rapper French Montana was also due to perform.
