Drill rap videos and music from an ISIS-supporting terrorist jailed for planning a suicide bomb attack in London are still accessible online, raising concerns that he may be profiting from millions of views. Al-Arfat Hassan, who uses the drill rap name Official TS, was sentenced to five years in prison with a two-year extended licence period in February 2024.
His music and videos remain available on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. His TikTok account has garnered over 833,000 likes, and his videos have collectively amassed more than 13 million views. This level of engagement could make him eligible for payments from social media and music streaming companies, according to their policies on monetized content.
Conservative MP Sir John Hayes described the continued online availability of Hassan's material as "entirely inappropriate" and called for any earnings to be redirected to victims of terrorism. He stated his intention 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.
"It's entirely inappropriate that his material is still online. It's incitement to terror," Sir John said. "This also sets a dangerous precedent because if we don't take action, who's to say there won't be other people who are imprisoned who maintain a public profile inciting violence, crime or terrorism?"
An Instagram account associated with Hassan still lists him as a "Musician" and directs visitors to music streaming services. His music, including a track titled "Satan 2.0," is available on Apple Music and Spotify. These releases predate his arrest.
Terrorist Ideology and Lyrics
Following Hassan's sentencing, the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation noted that he was a drill rapper "lyrically inspired by Islamic State." While his earlier music focused on street life, his lyrics evolved to incorporate Islamic extremism. A 2022 track, "Habibti," featured violent jihadist themes, with lyrics such as "I don't do love - I'm a full-time mujahid. Married to the gun and the sword, I'm charging." Another track, which remained available on YouTube and had been viewed 79,000 times, also contained references to extremist violence.
Police discovered an unreleased track that referenced the murders of Western hostages by ISIS, including Alan Henning and James Foley, and concluded with a mention of an explosion in central London. Hassan reportedly claimed that women were attracted to the "jihadi persona" he cultivated online.
There is no indication that Hassan is actively operating his social media accounts from prison or has posted new material since his arrest in March 2022. At that time, police apprehended Hassan after he purchased hydrogen peroxide, a key component for explosives. Prosecutors stated his intent was to "kill thousands" and that he had considered attacks in central London using explosives or bladed weapons.
Investigators found terrorist materials, including bomb-making instructions and methods for killing with a knife. Hassan was also found to have filmed himself with weapons and discussed his "final moments." During police investigation, "cupcake" was identified as a code word for a bomb, and "marketplace" for a potential target.
Hassan was initially charged with preparing acts of terrorism, but a jury could not reach a verdict, and a retrial was discontinued. He subsequently pleaded guilty to possessing hydrogen peroxide for a terrorist purpose and possessing information useful to a terrorist.
Fan Interaction and Online Presence
Hassan's continued online presence has resulted in supportive messages from fans. Comments such as "Release ts soon. Inshallah," "Free bro he's innocent," and "free TS our brother in Islam" have appeared on his accounts.
Hassan's music connected him with Sameer Anjum, then a 15-year-old fan who became embroiled in his terror case. Anjum, who began calling himself "Young TS," started communicating regularly with Hassan after discovering his music in 2020. Their conversations later shifted to include extremist material and terrorism.
Anjum, now 19, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for failing to disclose his knowledge of Hassan's activities and for possessing and sharing ISIS videos.
The presence of Hassan's social media accounts comes amid broader scrutiny of social media platforms regarding their handling of harmful content and the protection of young users. MPs have recently questioned companies like TikTok, Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat about videos that appear to glorify dangerous driving, a concern amplified after a fatal crash in Teesside.