7th (gang)

In July 2016, a fight occurred in Stratford Park that resulted in a person being fatally stabbed; his killer was found to have been from Beckton. As a result of the killing, violence would escalate between 7th and 6th/ACG - a gang from Beckton - which would include a fight between the two gangs in summer 2017 in Westfield Stratford City.[1] During the fight, an 18-year old was stabbed.[8] It was also noted that the violence could've been a result of 7th getting a supply of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana through an Albanian gang, allowing them to send younger members to the home counties to establish new markets.[9]

In April 2017, Ahmed Jah, also known as Grinna,[10] was stabbed to death in Canning Town.[11] Grinna's death was noted as having increased tensions between gangs in the north and south of Newham, resulting in several shootings and stabbings in summer 2017 that resulted in the death of CJ.[10]

In September 2017, Corey Davis, also known as CJ and an affiliate of 7th,[9] was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting.[12] A podcast from The Times alleged that the gunman that killed him was affiliated with the Beckton Boys, located in south Newham. In addition, it was found that Issac Donkoh, Sabir Rashid and Hafedh Rashid, also affiliated with the Beckton Boys, were arrested in connection with his murder; however, they were released due to lack of evidence.[5] It was also found that the Beckton Boys used a gang database made by Newham council in order to find potential targets; as a result, the Information Commissioner's Office fined the council £145,000.[13] In 2018, a report published by Newham Local Safeguarding Children Board found that social workers did not perceive CJ as a victim of exploitation.[14]

In November 2017, Kasende Kasongo was found to be affiliated with 7th; he would be convicted of two counts of being concerned with the supply of class A drugs and sentenced to 4 and a half years.[15] He would be sentenced to 6 years in prison in 2021 on charges of being concerned with the supply of heroin and cocaine, following him being linked to two county lines operations in Essex.[16]

In 2019, Lekan Akinsoji, also known as CB, and Nathaniel Lewis, both members of 7th, were sentenced to 23 years in prison and 3 years on extended license alongside Darnell Joseph-Newill, also known as D Boy, and Troy Ifill, members of the Stratford Gang.[17] The group were under an alliance known as "Northside Newham"; they were riding out to rivals in the E11 postcode when they were pursued by police.[7] Following this pursuit, a gun fight would ensue between police and the Northside Newham members; CB and others were arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder, possession of a shotgun, possession of a shotgun to endanger life and two counts of possession of a knife.[18] They were found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.[7]

7th has a history of music going back to 2012, when members released a five-minute song titled "Who's that Click?",[2] a remix of "Who's that Girl?" by Eve. The song was taken down alongside 75 others as a result of Newham hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics; it would be reposted in April 2013.[19] An article in YOUNG noted that the creation of such videos was a noticeable event that would result in the scrutiny of those involved.[20]

Members of 7th are also involved in the UK drill scene, with rappers including CB,[21] Yanko, Y.CB,[22] and YB,[23] with Complex mentioning CB as "one of the realest to ever pick up a mic", according to the drill scene.[24] In 2019, a song made by CB was noted by The Times as having mentioned numerous crimes and having been viewed 45,000 times via YouTube; it was taken down from YouTube at the request of the newspaper.[25] Another song by 7th, hosted on Tim Westwood's YouTube channel, was taken down in 2018.[6]

In 2019, Woosh, a rapper for 7th,[26] released Gang Unit, which included a feature from Loski.[27] In 2020, CB released A Driller's Perspective.[28]