UK Rapper Ghetts In Custody After Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

The MOBO Award-winning artist allegedly failed to stop his car, resulting in a crash that ended up killing a 20-year-old man.

Ghetts.
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Spotify

UK rapper Ghetts has been taken into custody following a fatal hit-and-run crash in North East London.

According to BBC News, the London MC (real name Justin Clarke-Samuel) was arrested after allegedly failing to stop after hitting a 20-year-old male pedestrian on Saturday (October 18) in Redbridge Lane East, Ilford.

Ghetts, formerly known as Ghetto, made an appearance at Stratford Magistrates' on Monday (October 20), the same day the pedestrian died in the hospital from his injuries. This reportedly may shift the charges at the next hearing from causing death by reckless driving to causing serious injury.

The rapper remains in custody and is scheduled to appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court next Monday (October 27). Police are calling for witnesses to share more information about the accident.

Ghetts, a former member of British rap collective N.A.S.T.Y. Crew alongside the likes of Kano, D Double E, Jammer and more, released his fourth studio album, On Purpose, With Purpose, last February. In an interview with Complex UK that same month, the two-time Mercury Music Prize nominee called himself a "conflicted human being."

"Conflicted in terms of, do you want the things of the world, or do you want — beyond that — something that can’t be taken away from you at any time?" he told the outlet. "Because when you want the things of the world, you’re going to play by the rules of the world."

Another hip-hop figure who found himself involved in a fatal hit-and-run is infamous music executive Suge Knight, who was sentenced to 28 years in 2018.

The Death Row Records co-founder was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Terry Carter. He was accused of purposely running over Carter and Cle “Bone” Sloan following a dispute on the set of Straight Outta Compton. The incident left Sloan hospitalized and Carter dead.

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App