Louix Theroux’s Forbidden America: who are the rappers in Rap’s New Frontline - from broke baby to Foogiano

The next instalment of Louis Theroux’s new three-part BBC Two documentary series, titled Louis Theroux’s Forbidden America, airs tonight (20 February)

The three films explore the porn industry, the far-right and the rap world.

In tonight’s episode, Theroux will immerse himself in the world of rap and hip-hop in Florida and the southern states of America, admitting he is a big fan of the genre.

Here is everything you need to know about it.

What’s it about?

Theroux has admitted to being a big fan of rap music, and recently performed a handwritten hip-hop rap on The Dotty Show on Apple Music - in the persona of the Queen.

The broadcaster, who also performed the piece on The Russell Howard Hour in 2018, previously said he wrote the track for a comedy magazine while at university.

In the second film in his Forbidden American series - titled Rap’s New Frontline - Theroux immerses himself in Florida’s multimillion-dollar rap scene, a scene as notable for the controversy surrounding its emerging stars as its creativity.

Rappers have long mined their lives for inspiration to create and promote their music, but in the Sunshine State, some of the biggest artists stand accused of participating in the lawlessness their music describes.

Whilst drawing in an ever-growing fan base attracted to its unvarnished portrayal of real-life struggles and hardship, this content has also drawn the attention of the authorities, who see it as evidence of criminals engaging in ‘illegal gang activity’.

Which rappers are in it?

Louis spends time with a number of artists achieving success through self-promotion on social media – from those playing out fierce rivalries online to those live-streaming their often violent and chaotic lifestyles.

Rappers making an appearance in the film include 9lokkNine (pronounced “Glock nine”), broke baby, Ratchet Roach, Boo Bon, Foogiano, and LPB Poody.

9lokkNine has been arrested multiple times over his career for weapons-related offences, and in January 2021, was charged with multiple counts of attempted second-degree murder for the second time.

Ratchet Roach is a member of the hip-collective Members Only, which formed in 2014, when rappers XXXTentacion and Ski Mask the Slump God met in a juvenile detention centre.

In May 2021, Foogiano was sentenced to five years in prison on charges related to previous charges, after burning off an ankle tag that prevented him from leaving the stage of Georgia.

When can I watch it?

The next episode of Louis Theroux’s Forbidden America will air on BBC Two on Sunday 20 February at 9pm.

It will be made available on iPlayer shortly after broadcast.

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