MTV-tipped MC forced to pull tour dates after news surfaces of 2010 conviction.
Croydon-born rapper Bonkaz has denied groping a 13-year-old girl after it emerged earlier this month he was convicted and placed on the sex offenders register for an incident in 2010.
In a handwritten letter posted to Twitter, the MTV Brand New for 2016 artist – now 24 – says that the magistrate “made up his mind already” that he was guilty of the sexual offence. He was jailed for six weeks. See the letter below.
Bonkaz – real name Taylor Harris – also addressed a prison stint from 2011 to 2013 for his part in the kidnapping and torture of a disabled man. “Six years ago when I was 18-year-old, I was incarcerated for a separate and isolated incident that I was involved in due to the lifestyle I was a part of at the time,” wrote the rapper.
A Met Police statement from 2011 says the victim was punched and kicked and burnt with incense sticks, while the men demanded cash and they threatened to burn the man’s genitalia and eyes and chop off his finger. He pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and blackmail.
Bonkaz’s talent agency, Echo Location, says they didn’t know about his convictions until last week and have now removed him from their roster of artists. They’ve also cancelled their events with him.
— BONKZ, NEW GEN™. (@Bonkaz) March 7, 2016
