Rapper Kay Flock, whose real name is Kevin Perez, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on December 16 for his involvement in a series of shootings in his Bronx neighborhood.
The sentencing marks the abrupt halt of a promising music career that began gaining traction prior to his arrest in 2021.
U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman delivered the sentence, emphasizing the negative impact Perez’s actions had on his community and the harmful example set for young admirers. Between 2020 and 2021, prosecutors claimed Perez’s involvement in violence left numerous individuals injured or killed in the Bronx.
Judge Liman criticized Perez for glorifying violence, noting his social media activities, including posts like “KILL ALL RATS” following his trial, during which gang members testified against him.
“You taunted, you celebrated, and you helped create a cycle of violence,” Liman stated, adding that while Perez displayed promise, the severity of his actions warranted substantial prison time.
Perez, now 22, led a gang known as “Sev Side/DOA” and was convicted in March on charges including racketeering conspiracy and attempted murder connected to four separate shootings that injured multiple individuals.
During sentencing, Perez expressed that he had grown since his teenage years.
“What I was at 18 is not what I am today. I was just a kid. Didn’t really know better,” he said, advocating for a second chance and attributing some of his past behavior to youthful naivety. However, Judge Liman pointed out a lack of expressed remorse for the victims, stating, “To date, you’ve shown no real remorse for your conduct.”
The courtroom also heard from Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick R. Moroney, who pushed for a 50-year sentence in line with recommendations from the court’s Probation Department. He accused Perez of celebrating violence in his music and social media interactions, stating that such actions escalated tensions among rivals.
Prosecutors argued that Perez’s rise to fame was tied to music that glorified gang culture and violence. They alleged he used his platform to promote harmful behavior and encouraged violence through private messages.
“The music that had glorified gang violence made the defendant famous and now rich,” prosecutors said in a sentencing brief.
On the defense side, attorney Michael Ashley sought a minimum sentence of 10 years for his client, citing Perez’s upbringing in one of the country’s most dangerous neighborhoods. He claimed Perez had been influenced by an older individual who drew him into gang involvement.
While delivering the sentence, Judge Liman acknowledged the difficult circumstances of Perez’s environment and noted that many of the crimes occurred during a time when his brain was still maturing. He also referenced the devastating impact of losing six close friends to gun violence before Perez reached adulthood.
