How the Federal Conviction of Kay Flock Serves as a Landmark Case for Prosecuting Drill Rappers via Lyrics
The meteoric rise of Bronx drill sensation Kay Flock came to a definitive end on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as he was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The 22 year old rapper, whose real name is Kevin Perez, was identified by federal prosecutors as the central leader of the "Sev Side/DOA" gang. His sentencing follows a March 2025 conviction that linked his burgeoning musical fame to a violent 18 month stretch of retaliatory shootings across the Bronx.
The immediate sentence and summary of the hearing in Manhattan federal court saw U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman deliver a stern rebuke to the young artist. While prosecutors from the Southern District of New York had requested a 50 year term, Judge Liman settled on three decades, citing the "immense harm" Perez caused by glorifying a culture of violence. Despite the heavy sentence, Perez was notably acquitted of a 2021 murder charge during his March trial after the jury accepted a claim of self defense regarding the death of Oscar Hernandez.
Key stats and charges from the case underscore the severity of the gang's activity. Perez was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder, and assault with a deadly weapon. Evidence presented at trial showed that the Sev Side/DOA gang (standing for "Dead on Arrival") was involved in at least four separate shootings that injured multiple people between 2020 and 2021. Prosecutors also revealed that the gang funded Perez’s music career through bank and wire fraud, creating a cycle where his viral hits such as "Is Ya Ready" and "Being Honest" were used to taunt rivals and brag about real life bloodshed.
The strategic factor in the sentencing involved a failed "intellectual disability" defense by Perez’s legal team. His attorneys argued that he was a "man of promise" who fell under the influence of older gang members while growing up in one of the country's most dangerous neighborhoods. However, Judge Liman dismissed the idea that Perez lacked the capacity to lead, pointing to his sophisticated use of social media and his "Billboard Rookie of the Month" status as evidence of his intelligence. The judge emphasized that Perez used his platform to celebrate violence, even posting "KILL ALL RATS" on Instagram after gang members testified against him.
Looking at the future outlook, the Kay Flock sentencing marks a significant victory for federal authorities in their ongoing crackdown on New York’s drill scene. Perez will serve five years of supervised release following his 30 year term, effectively ensuring he remains under court watch well into his 50s. While his music continues to garner millions of streams, including the Cardi B collaboration "Shake It," his incarceration serves as a stark warning about the legal consequences of the "art imitating life" trend within the Bronx drill subgenre.