Bronx rapper Kay Flock has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted of murder in a closely watched New York case that drew national attention and reignited debate over violence, accountability, and the intersection of drill music and street culture.

The 21-year-old artist, whose real name is Kevin Perez, was convicted earlier this year in connection with the 2021 fatal shooting of Hwasang Ghasemzadeh outside a Manhattan barbershop. Prosecutors said surveillance footage captured Perez shooting the victim during a confrontation, evidence that played a central role in securing the conviction.

At sentencing, the court imposed a three-decade prison term, rejecting arguments from the defense for leniency. Prosecutors had portrayed Perez as an emerging artist who continued to engage in violent behavior even as his music career gained traction, while the defense argued that his upbringing and environment should be considered as mitigating factors.

Kay Flock rose rapidly within New York’s drill music scene, gaining millions of streams and a devoted following for his raw, aggressive lyrics and street-centered persona. His ascent coincided with heightened scrutiny of drill music by city officials and law enforcement, some of whom have argued that the genre glorifies violence, a claim artists and advocates have strongly disputed.

The case became emblematic of that broader cultural clash. Supporters of Perez framed him as a product of systemic neglect and limited opportunity, while prosecutors maintained that artistic success did not excuse criminal responsibility.

During the proceedings, members of the victim’s family described the lasting impact of the killing, emphasizing the irreversible loss and urging the court to deliver a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the crime.

The sentence effectively ends Kay Flock’s music career in the near term and places him among a growing list of young artists whose legal troubles have overshadowed early commercial success. It also underscores the legal risks faced by performers whose public personas and private actions intersect in ways that attract law enforcement scrutiny.

As Perez begins his prison term, the case is likely to continue resonating beyond the courtroom, fueling ongoing conversations about youth violence, artistic expression, and the limits of fame as insulation from the criminal justice system.