Drill rap videos by an ISIS supporter who was jailed for amassing chemicals for a suicide bomb attack in London remain accessible online, raising concerns that he could be profiting from millions of views. Al-Arfat Hassan, who uses the drill rap name Official TS, has had his music and videos available on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube since his sentencing.
His TikTok account has garnered over 833,000 likes, and his videos have amassed more than 13 million views. Hassan, now 23, was sentenced to five years in prison with a two-year extended license period in February 2024 at the Old Bailey. The court heard he had watched the same tutorial as the Manchester Arena bomber and purchased chemicals for a similar device.
The significant viewership and follower count suggest Hassan could be eligible for payments under social media and music streaming monetization policies. Conservative MP Sir John Hayes stated that it is "entirely inappropriate" for Hassan's material to remain online, advocating for any earnings to be directed to terrorism victims. He plans to contact the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to urge them to engage with the companies hosting the content.
"A man convicted of terrorism offences should not be allowed to continue spreading his message online," Sir John said, warning that inaction could set a dangerous precedent for other imprisoned individuals inciting violence. Hassan's Instagram account lists him as a "Musician" and directs visitors to streaming services. His music, including a track titled "Satan 2.0," is available on Apple Music and Spotify. Prior to his arrest, Hassan's music evolved from lyrics about street life to incorporating Islamic extremism. A 2022 track, "Habibti," included references to jihadist violence.
An unreleased track discovered by police reportedly referenced Western hostages murdered by ISIS, including Alan Henning and James Foley, and concluded with a mention of an explosion in central London. Hassan also claimed that women were attracted to the "jihadi persona" he cultivated online. There is no indication that Hassan is personally operating his social media accounts from prison or has posted new material since his arrest.
Social media platforms are facing increasing scrutiny over their handling of harmful content and user protection. Hassan's continued online presence allows him to receive supportive messages from users, with comments like "Release ts soon. Inshallah" and "free TS our brother in Islam" appearing on his Instagram account.
During Hassan's trial, his connection to a 15-year-old fan, Sameer Anjum, emerged. Anjum, who had become a fan of Hassan's music and promoted it online, began communicating with the rapper. Their conversations increasingly involved extremist material and terrorism. Police apprehended Hassan in March 2022 after he purchased hydrogen peroxide. Investigators found bomb-making instructions and material on how to kill with a knife. Hassan had also filmed himself with weapons and discussed his "final moments," using "cupcake" as a code word for a bomb and "marketplace" for a potential target.
After an initial mistrial on charges of preparing acts of terrorism, Hassan pleaded guilty to possessing hydrogen peroxide for a terrorist purpose and possessing information useful to a terrorist. He received his five-year extended sentence in February 2024. Anjum was sentenced to two and a half years for failing to disclose his knowledge of Hassan's activities and possessing/sharing ISIS videos. Anjum's mother was also convicted and jailed for two years for failing to disclose information to police.
The ongoing presence of Hassan's accounts comes as MPs have questioned social media companies like TikTok, Meta, and YouTube about videos that appear to glorify dangerous activities. The Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee has raised concerns about copycat behavior and the speed at which harmful content is identified and removed.
Hassan's TikTok account, with 52,000 followers, qualifies him as a content creator, potentially earning approximately 74 pence per 1,000 views. Spotify and Apple Music have policies that reward artists with thousands of streams, with Apple Music reportedly paying approximately £7 per thousand streams. Apple, YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify were contacted for comment.