Kay Flock Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison

In a significant development in the intersection of hip-hop and criminal justice, Bronx drill rapper Kay Flock (real name Kevin Perez) received a 30-year federal prison sentence on December 16, 2025. The 22-year-old artist, whose rapid ascent in the New York drill scene was cut short by gang-related charges, was convicted earlier this year in a high-profile RICO trial. This Kay Flock sentencing marks a sobering chapter for the genre known for its raw depictions of street life.

Below is the complete timeline of Kay Flock’s career, arrest, trial, and the events leading to his lengthy prison term.

Kay Flock’s Rapid Rise in Drill Rap

Kevin Perez, born April 20, 2003, in the Belmont section of the Bronx, adopted the stage name Kay Flock and burst onto the scene in 2020 amid the surge of New York drill music.

• Early tracks: “FTO,” “Opp Spotter” (with B-Lovee), and “Brotherly Love” (featuring B-Lovee and Dougie B) quickly gained traction.
• Breakthrough: His 2021 mixtape The D.O.A. Tape and singles like “PSA,” “Not in the Mood” (with Lil Tjay), and “Shake It” (featuring Cardi B, Dougie B, and Bory300) amassed hundreds of millions of streams and views.
• Industry recognition: Named Billboard’s Hip-Hop/R&B Rookie of the Month in November 2021, with major label backing positioning him as a potential breakout star.

At just 18, Kay Flock embodied the gritty, hyper-local sound of Bronx drill, often referencing neighborhood rivalries in his lyrics.

The 2021 Shooting and Initial Arrest

The trajectory changed dramatically on December 16, 2021, when Perez allegedly shot and killed 24-year-old Hwascar “Oscar” Hernandez outside a Harlem barbershop. Perez surrendered to authorities a week later, claiming self-defense after Hernandez reportedly approached him menacingly.

• Charged initially with first-degree murder by New York state authorities.
• Case escalated in February 2023 to federal court under RICO statutes, accusing Perez of being a leader in the “Sev Side/DOA” gang, allegedly responsible for multiple shootings and acts of violence in the Bronx from 2020 onward.

Federal Trial and Conviction

The trial commenced in March 2025 in Manhattan federal court under Judge Lewis J. Liman.

• Convictions: Racketeering conspiracy, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, assault with a deadly weapon, and related firearms charges.
• Acquittal: On the murder-in-aid-of-racketeering count tied to Hernandez’s death, as the jury accepted the self-defense argument.
• Prosecutorial strategy: Relied heavily on drill lyrics, social media activity, and witness testimony to portray Perez as using his music to promote and orchestrate gang violence.

The convictions carried a potential life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years.

Sentencing Hearing: December 16, 2025

In a crowded courtroom, Judge Liman handed down a 30-year prison term followed by five years of supervised release.

• Prosecution push: Sought 50 years, highlighting Perez’s alleged gang leadership, lack of remorse (including a post-trial social media message targeting informants), and the broader impact of gang violence.
• Defense plea: Argued for the 10-year minimum, citing Perez’s youth, traumatic upbringing (losing multiple friends to violence), and personal growth while incarcerated.
• Judicial reasoning: Acknowledged Perez’s potential and youth but stressed the severity of four separate shootings that injured victims, the fostering of a “culture of violence,” and the need for substantial deterrence.
• Perez’s courtroom statement: “What I was at 18 is not what I am today… I was just a kid.”

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton commended the outcome, noting it helps dismantle violent gang networks.

Broader Implications and Reactions

The Kay Flock sentence has reignited debates over the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials and the challenges facing young artists from high-violence communities. Supporters flooded social media with messages of solidarity, while legal observers noted the case’s precedent-setting elements.