Four women were raped and kidnapped by Solo 45, a rapper who was part of Boy Better Know, an artist collective that emerged in the 2000s in the UK.
A dark affair which has just ended with a consequent verdict. Solo 45, a rapper known across the Channel, figure of grime on the rise, was sentenced Thursday, July 30 to 24 years in prison for inflicting rape and kidnapping on four women, filming some of his acts with his mobile phone, according to the 'France Media Agency.
The 33-year-old man, who is registered as Andy Anokye, has been tried on 30 counts over a two-year period.
He was part of Boy Better Know, an artist collective that emerged in the 2000s in the UK that mixed hip-hop and rap.
According to the victims' statements, he subjected them to torture sessions, such as mock drownings and interrogations. The rapper argued it was consensual role play, or a game called "catch me rape me," and said he warns his partners he will "terrorize" them.
An investigation was opened by the police after a rape complaint against a young woman in 2017. After arresting Andy Anokye, investigators discovered videos on his cell phone showing that he had assaulted several women.
Asked about their song colleague, the other members of the group said they ignored the “dark side” of the rapper promised a bright future. He had signed with the record company Island Records and had for example collaborated with Stormzy. “Your conviction robs you of this career, but the fault is yours alone,” the judge told him.
During a hearing, images of his crimes were released, including the faces of his victims in tears, shouting “I hate you”. The prosecutor described him as a "dangerous", "calculating and highly manipulative" man. His lawyer, for her part, has indicated that he wants to undergo treatment because of his behavior.
His sentence is accompanied by a registration for life in the sex offender file. Judge William Heart stressed in concluding the sentence that the rapper had "no sexual boundaries or empathy for those concerned".
"I am completely convinced that your career as a musical artist was flourishing at the time of this offense and that you would have reached great heights", he added, relayed by the BBC News media.