Netflix sets the stage for ONEFOUR: Against All Odds as it narrates the story of the controversial Australian drill rap group. The upcoming documentary will be available to stream on the service starting October 26, 2023.
ONEFOUR, notorious for their lyrics containing violence, have seen overnight success in the music scene while also finding themselves amid a controversy that is still playing out today. The drill rap crew has had several run-ins with law enforcement, becoming unjust targets. Police believe that the members, who maintain that their music is a reflection of the environment, are inciting gang violence.
According to Netflix, the documentary aims to tell the crew’s story as they produce visionary music for working-class Australia.
ONEFOUR controversy explained ahead of Netflix documentary release
According to MSN, five Mount Druitt locals—YP, Lekks, JM, Spenny, and Celly14—started ONEFOUR in 2014, hailing from the harsh gang culture of Western Sydney. The five became the core members and are now known as the pioneers of drill rap music. The group garnered critical recognition after a few viral hits in 2019.
The outlet mentioned that their lyrics often delve into the themes of gangs, violence, and crime. This prompted certain sections of society to quickly deem their music inappropriate. However, the crew members maintained that their tracks are a reflection of the environment they grew up in.
ONEFOUR witnessed meteoric success over the years but has had a fair share of run-ins with law enforcement, faced censorship, and seen show bans. According to Vice, New South Wales police “shut down” the drill rap group’s 2019 live performance with French-British rapper Octavian. This incident marked the third time that police pressured venues into canceling their shows that year.
The same report mentioned that ONEFOUR is the only rap group in Australia’s history to have faced such extreme and heavy policing. The crew even released an official statement following the cancellation, which read, “This is the third time the NSW Police have pressured the venue we were due to perform at.”
MSN’s report states that later that same year, in December 2019, three members—YP, Lekks, and Celly—were taken into custody. The trio faced charges stemming from a violent incident at the Carousel Inn from the year before. Celly remains behind bars to this day.
Now, ONEFOUR members are bracing themselves to show the world their side of the story on Netflix’s upcoming documentary.
