Music

This struggle rapper used a stabbing to promote his music

by Jeremy Mersereau

British rapper Big Tobz is attempting to use footage he shot of Saturday’s knife attack on the London Underground to garner some free promotion for his new single. Admittedly, that’s some seriously next-level hustle, but calling Tobz’ tactics “inappropriate” is putting it lightly.

On Saturday, a 29-year-old man was arrested after he attacked a fellow passenger with a knife while shouting “This is for Syria!” at Leytonstone tube station in London. The suspect was arrested by police, and the dramatic scene was caught on video by Tobz (among others), who Tweeted out the footage in three parts. The only problem? Part three was a YouTube link to one of his music videos. Tobz also replied to requests for information with links to the same thing.

The most controversial tweet has since been deleted, but here it is, in all its grinding glory:

As much as I applaud bait-and-switching thirsty-ass journalists whenever possible, I gotta draw the line at using video of a violent attack to do so. Then again, the rapper isn’t wrong on this count:

Is Big Tobz pushing his musical wares onto parties seeking info on the attack functionally any different from watching the news when a commercial for The Voice comes on? You be the judge.