BEEB FURY
Jimmy Mizen’s mum blasts BBC live on air for ‘playing songs of a murderer’ – & says MoJ has ‘questions to answer’
Watch Margaret's interview in our player
THE mum of murdered teenager Jimmy Mizen says she's "disappointed" with the BBC for playing the music of her son's killer - and has demanded answers from the MoJ.
A Sun probe discovered TEN is Jake Fahri, 35, recently released from a life sentence for the 2008 murder of gentle giant Jimmy, 16, in South London.
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The Ministry of Justice last night launched an urgent probe into the killer drill rapper whose lyrics include “watched him melt like Ben and Jerry’s”.
His music has been showcased on BBC 1Xtra with DJ Theo Johnson saying he “really stands out”.
His radio tracks appear to have been censored.
The BBC has confirmed it has banned Fahri's music following the latest revelations.
'COWARD'
Margaret Mizen said: "When you're playing the songs of a murderer it's pretty bad."
She added that the MoJ has "questions to answer", describing Fahri as a "coward".
"To be honest with you I feel a bit numb because when we got to hear and read the story last night. I'm still taking it in I suppose," she told BBC Breakfast on Thursday morning.
"Bit shocked. It's very difficult to talk about your emotions and as a family we're just taking it in."
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Describing her son, Margaret went on to say: "You know, obviously there's been lots written about him over the years. But Jimmy was just a beautiful boy.
"He was known actually as the boy that sparkled as well. And he just
shone. You know, Jimmy was a shining star.
"Loved by so many, loved by his teachers, loved by his friends.
Drill rapper promoted by BBC radio unmasked as cold-blooded murderer of schoolboy Jimmy Mizen
"Obviously, adored by his family. Although it's 16 and a half years, we still miss him greatly. We've got a fabulous charity in his name, and that's what really helps us."
Margaret said: "This is not going to change because of what's
going on now. You know, we have to decide what sort of messages do we want.
"And I think our children need to hear these messages of
forgiveness, peace and hope.
"They don't need to hear all these dreadful rap songs that are going on with all the horrible words.
"So our message will stay forgiveness, peace and hope. And that's the message that we give to young people in schools that will
continue."
Margaret said the MoJ keeps the family updated each year but they "haven't had any contact" from the government department in relation to the latest news.
"I probably will be looking for a few answers. I need to sit
with the rest of my family today and really kind of take stock of it,
but I would like answers."
She added: "I've looked at some of the videos and I'm thinking maybe that they were made within the areas that Jake is not allowed to go into.
How can someone be allowed to to to play this kind of music? I mean, let's be honest, the words are absolutely horrendous. Forget the fact it could be about Jimmy, and it probably is. It shouldn't be about anyone. It's promoting violence. And I think that needs to be looked at more than anything.
Margaret Mizen
"I do want answers and I'll be looking into that today."
Referring to the BBC playing the songs, Margaret said: "How can someone be allowed to to to play this kind of music? I mean, let's be honest, the words are absolutely horrendous.
"Forget the fact it could be about Jimmy, and it probably is. It
shouldn't be about anyone. It's promoting violence. And I think that
needs to be looked at more than anything."
She added: "The fact that it's probably about our beautiful boy as well is even more so.
British public rallies behind Jimmy Mizen's family
By Richard Moriarty, North West District Editor
THE British public rallied behind Jimmy Mizen's family in the wake of the Sun's story about his killer's drill rap music being played on the BBC - by donating cash to the foundation set up in Jimmy's name to promote "hope, not hate".
The was founded in 2008 after 16-year-old Jimmy was murdered by Fahri as he queued in a bakery in south-east London.
Fahri was sentenced to life and served 15 years before being released from prison in June 2023 and embarking on music career as a balaclava-wearing rapper called TEN.
Some of his tracks have been played on the BBC's 1XTRA station and also on its website, with DJ Theo Johnson promoting him as a "stand out" musician.
The Ministry of Justice is now investigating.
In response, well-wishers have rallied around the deeply religious Mizen family, who have spent the years since Jimmy's murder campaigning for peace and trying to help young people.
On the Foundation’s website, one well wisher wrote: "I saw Margaret on television this morning and she was so moving and inspiring that I wanted to do something positive in response.
"Sending love and support to her, Barry and your family."
Another added: "The way you have chosen to cherish Jimmy's memory and celebrate his life is outstanding.
"Your message of forgiveness is a message for everyone today."
Jimmy's family created the charity to ensure that something positive came out of their loss.
Parents Margaret and Barry have dedicated their lives to celebrating Jimmy's life, sharing their story of forgiveness, peace, and hope to effect change in our communities.
The charity aims to support young people across the UK by challenging them to be the change makers and peace makers in their local communities.
"So a few answers as to why this is allowed. And if we go back to Jake and what he's been doing, I think he's a coward to be able to play his
music with a balaclava on and not show his face.
"That shows to me that he's a bit of a coward."
Margaret said that she hopes the publicity doesn't help to make Fahri "some kind of celebrity".
"That is a big concern for me. He might be sitting there now thinking, this is great because this is going to put up my status, and I don't want that either.
"I think it's important that we get answers for all those kind of things."
Fahri may now have his licence conditions altered to force him to share his lyrics with parole bosses before publishing his music.
The 35-year-old was released from jail in June 2023 and immediately embarked on a career as a drill rapper.
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He did not respond to comment requests but deleted social media profiles.
Millwall fan and former altar boy Jimmy was attacked at a bakery in Lee, South East London by Fahri who had gone in and started an argument.
The wannabe gangster, then 19, hurled a Pyrex dish at Jimmy, severing an artery and killing him.
Fahri ran out of the shop and was described by a witness as “walking with a swagger”.
Fahri pleaded not guilty to murder.
But the jury saw through his lies and the wannabe rapper, who went by the street name Diirty Detz and idolised US hip-hop stars, was found guilty at the Old Bailey in March 2009.
He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 14 years.
Less than 18 months after his release, Fahri’s tracks have been pushed on BBC 1XTRA, with DJ Theo Johnson dubbing him an “up-and-coming star”.
In October Fahri posted a song called Rocky Marciano on Instagram with the caption: “Got my first spin on BBC introducing 1xtra Theo Johnson show.”
Sick drill tales full of knives and lies
KILLER Jake Fahri’s lyrics appear to contain multiple references to his murder of Jimmy Mizen — including gruesome stabbing details.
The remorseless drill rapper, who uses the name TEN to hide his criminal identity, also says he broke a pledge to his mum that he would give up violence.
His seven released tracks, on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple and YouTube, are full of lyrics about drugs, violence and gangs, as are as his own freestyle videos.
In the track Dispersal, he boasts about being housed in the segregation wing of high-security prisons. He raps: “Disperse me to dispersal with the lifers then.
“Swing around a blade when I promised mum I’d never touch a knife again.”
He adds: “Never understood a life ’til you took a life. Look in the mirror now you look alive. Look in the mirror, can you look inside?
“Tryna balance out the good with the crooked side.”
Horrific injury descriptions appear in the track 1Life.
He raps: “Head gone, chest gone, blades out, flesh gone.
“Over there, donny like to stare, so he got stepped on.”
He later adds: “See a man’s soul fly from his eyes and his breath gone.
“S***, I wanted more, it made it less wrong, seeing blood spilt (on) the same floor he was left on.”
On his track Juggy he also apparently admits to lying under oath at the Old Bailey.
He boasts: “I don’t talk ’cos I’m signed to the streets. Went to court, put my hand on that book, and I lied through my teeth.”
After playing his track, 1XTRA DJ Theo told listeners: “You see Ten, yeah, he delivers the bars in a certain way that makes him really stand out to me.
"I’m really liking what I’m hearing, when I’m hearing what he’s laying down at the moment.
“And I know my producer KC is a big fan as well, and she’s been singing his praises, and proper rocking with his tunes.”
Two different songs by TEN have been played on separate occasions on Johnson’s show.
His songs have also featured on the BBC Orbit website, which promotes new tracks and undiscovered artists, handpicked by local BBC staff.
Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick last night demanded the BBC apologise to the Mizen family.
The Tory MP said: “Licence-fee payers will be horrified the BBC is promoting music from a man who committed a murder which shocked Britain.
“By playing his music the BBC are helping him make money from his crime.
“They must do more to ensure that they know exactly who they are promoting in their shows, because impressionable children will hear this and it might make them think these people are role models, when they are a scourge on society.”
Shadow Policing Minister Matt Vickers added: “The BBC should be promoting role models not convicts.
“This is a shameful abuse of taxpayer funding, and the BBC need to drop this promotion and apologise.”
Prior to Jimmy’s murder, Fahri had a shocking history of violence and aggression.
Despite his crimes, a Parole Board announced in May 2023 that he would be released, with the thug let back on to streets two months later.
The board ruled Fahri was safe to go free despite a risk assessment stating that his likelihood of reoffending came from his “willingness to use violence and carry weapons” and “difficulties managing his anger and emotions”.
The board listened to an impact statement from Margaret Mizen and husband Barry.
It also heard Fahri had not been involved in violence for “several years” and had taken part in programmes to improve his anger management and use of violence.
Since his release from HMP Long Lartin, Worcs, Fahri has moved into a flat at taxpayers’ expense in Deptford, South East London, where he lives with his dog.
He wears a tag, follows a curfew and is barred from entering Lewisham where the Mizens still live.
A BBC spokesperson said: "1Xtra has no further plans to play his music, we were not aware of his background and we in no way condone his actions."
TEEN DEATHS
Earlier this month, Kelyan Bokassa, 14, a drill rapper known as Grippa, was stabbed to death on a bus in Woolwich, four miles from where Jimmy died.
Last year 11 teenagers were killed in London, nine of whom were the victims of stabbing.
One died in a shooting.
In 2023, 21 teenagers were killed in the capital.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Fans of drill music argue artists are writing about lived experiences rather than encouraging fans to commit violent or criminal acts.
Spotify was contacted for comment.
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