SVT Nyheter has previously reported on the exchange as some rappers and gang criminals have of each other. Songs can be used to send signals to different groups and in music videos weapons, money and gang affiliation are displayed.
Lots of material relating to the conflict is also published on Instagram, YouTube and Tiktok. According to Martin Lazar, municipal police in Botkyrka, there are two important reasons for the gangs to appear on social media:
– One is to show power. Then we know that they sometimes have a hard time getting hold of each other. Then social media is used to provoke each other through offensive videos or messages.
Creates a brand
He believes that it has become an increasingly important channel in the gang criminal environment.
– This is how you both promote conflicts and market how to handle conflicts. Often there is a lot of violence in these videos: they show off their violent capital.
For the rappers, it becomes a way to create a brand, says Martin Lazar.
– You want to show what you are capable of and which side you choose in the conflict.
Becomes a contact surface
He believes that the connection between gang violence, music and social media can have consequences.
– More and more young people are listening to the music and watching the clips. It will be a contact point between the criminals, the rappers and young people, he says and continues:
– They have a great need for children and young people who can join the criminal networks.
Now the police need to increase their presence on social platforms to be able to tackle the problem, he believes.
– We are trying to advance our positions in social media. We know there’s a lot going on there.
How and where is the gang conflict seen online? SVT’s reporter explains in the clip.
