Blunkett condemns violence in gangsta rap lyrics
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David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, called for talks yesterday with record industry chiefs over violent lyrics in rap music. He backed comments by Kim Howells, the Culture minister, who sparked accusations of racism when he denounced "boasting macho idiot rappers".
Mr Blunkett launched an attack on rap musicians for glamorising gun violence as police continued the hunt for the killers of two teenage girls who died in crossfire between feuding Birmingham gangs.
He said he did not believe in censorship but the record industry had to be made aware of his concerns. He said: "I am concerned we need to talk to record producers, to distributors, to those who are engaged in the music business about what is and isn't acceptable." He singled out the New York rapper Jay-Z, whom he accused of including "appalling" violence in his lyrics.
Mr Howells attacked "idiots" such as the London group So Solid Crew, three of whose 30 members have been convicted or face trial on gun charges.
"It is a big cultural problem. Lyrics don't kill people but they don't half enhance the fare we get from videos and films. It has created a culture where killing is almost a fashion accessory."
Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, called for a code of conduct between broadcasters, record executives and politicians to ban music videos that glamorised guns and violence.
Mr Blunkett's deputy, John Denham, the Home Office Minister of State, struck a more conciliatory note. He said he was "not entirely convinced" that politicians were best placed to comment on popular culture and emphasised the importance of supporting communities hit by gun crime.
Detectives revealed yesterday that gangsters were helping the investigation into the murders of Latisha Shakespeare, 17, and her cousin Charlene Ellis, 18. They were shot dead outside a party at a hair salon in Birchfield Road, Aston, Birmingham, in the early hours of 2 January.
Latisha had been hit four times and Charlene had been struck by three bullets, fired from a 9mm sub-machine gun. Charlene's twin, Sophie, and Cheryl Shaw, 17, were wounded in the incident, blamed on a feud between two rival drug gangs, the Burger Bar Boys and the Johnson Crew.
Detective Superintendent Dave Mirfield, who is leading the inquiry, said some gang members had come forward with information. He also revealed about six people were believed to be responsible for the shooting and members of the two rival gangs were present at the party.
He said: "Clearly, for any member of an association such as this to come forward and give us evidence relating to other gangs is a big step."
Asked about the Burger Bar Boys and the Johnson Crew, he said: "These two gangs are two of the most prolific gangs in Birmingham. I believe these two gangs may have been involved in this shooting. It's still unclear as to which gang killed these girls." He added: "Several significant witnesses have come forward and have described in detail events that took place before, during the after the killings."
Det Supt Mirfield said the men who killed the girls had also been seen to fire at least seven shots into a white Ford Orion parked near by. He added: "They [the girls] were not members of gangs and were not associated with any gangs."
Earlier Marcia Shakespeare, the mother of Latisha, said: "My daughter was a good girl. She was well educated in private school. She had ambitions to work with children. She did not go out very often, only to the local youth club. The only reason she was allowed out on New Year's night was because the party had been organised by friends and family. She was not a member of any gang."