The courtroom was tense as the verdict came down. On March 20, 2025, Bronx drill rapper Kay Flock, whose real name is Kevin Perez, was acquitted of a high-profile murder charge. However, the partial victory was overshadowed by a string of profound convictions, including racketeering conspiracy and weapons offenses. Now, the 21-year-old artist faces the grim reality of a possible life sentence when he appears for sentencing in July.
After a nearly two-week trial that kept fans and legal analysts on edge, a New York jury reached its decision after two days of deliberations. Kay Flock was found guilty on multiple charges:
- Racketeering conspiracy
- Use of a firearm resulting in death
- Attempted murder
- Assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering
- Use of a firearm for attempted murder and assault
The one silver lining for the defense? He was acquitted of murder in aid of racketeering, a charge directly tied to the 2021 killing of Hwascar Hernandez outside a Manhattan barbershop. While that decision removed the possibility of an automatic life sentence, the remaining convictions carry severe penalties.
Federal prosecutors painted Kay Flock as more than just a rapper. They alleged he was a central figure in the Bronx-based Sev Side/DOA Gang, accused of orchestrating violence across the borough between 2020 and 2022. His music, they argued, was more than artistic expression—it was a confession.
“He bragged about shootings. He taunted victims. He instilled fear in the community through his actions and lyrics,”
Said Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky in a post-verdict statement.
The prosecution introduced Kay Flock’s drill music videos and lyrics as key evidence, a controversial tactic that has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and the hip-hop community. Many argue that using rap lyrics in court is an attack on Black artists and their creative freedom.
Kay Flock’s legal team, led by attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, pushed back hard against the murder charge, arguing that Hernandez was armed and aggressive.
“Kevin was walking away. He was about to be shot. He defended himself,”
Lichtman said. According to the defense, surveillance footage backed their claim that Kay Flock fired only in self-defense.
Beyond the self-defense argument, Lichtman also aimed at how drill music was used against his client.
“They’re criminalizing an art form. If this were rock lyrics or a movie script, would we be here today?”
He asked during closing arguments.
This case goes beyond one rapper. The federal indictment, filed in 2023, targeted not just Kay Flock but seven alleged gang associates. Prosecutors claim the group carried out multiple shootings over nearly two years. The other defendants—Devon Mason, Ervin Beamon, Nicholas Johnson, Jossi Castro, Iszayah Rowson, Mitchell Grant, and Sean Smith—are all facing serious charges.
With the rise of RICO cases against rappers, Kay Flock’s trial adds to the ongoing debate about whether law enforcement is unfairly targeting hip-hop artists. Many fans argue that drill rap reflects the environment these artists grew up in—not an admission of guilt.
With sentencing set for July 16, Kay Flock’s future remains uncertain. Though he dodged the most severe charge, the remaining convictions could still put him behind bars for decades.
