Canadian rapper Top5, born Hassan Ali, is recovering after a shocking stabbing incident during a visit to London for the 2025 Wireless Festival. The attack, which reportedly occurred on the night of July 13, sent ripples through the international hip-hop community and reignited debates about safety, rivalries, and the ever-blurring line between street conflicts and music culture.
According to early reports from hip-hop commentator DJ Akademiks, Top5 was engaging with fans near the venue when a masked assailant suddenly approached and stabbed him in the neck. The incident took place while thousands of fans gathered to see headliner Drake, who performed three consecutive nights at the high-profile festival.
Despite the severity of the attack, Top5 survived. Sources close to the situation, have confirmed that no major arteries were severed and that the rapper is in stable condition. At the time of writing, neither Top5 nor his management team has released an official statement. London authorities have also declined to provide specifics about the time or exact location of the incident, and no arrests have been made.
Speculation quickly swirled across social media about a possible motive behind the attack. Top5 has long been a polarizing figure in Toronto's rap scene, often entangled in both legal controversy and lyrical feuds. His aggressive online persona and history of calling out rivals have drawn both supporters and detractors.
Just hours before the stabbing, Top5 reportedly made a provocative statement during a livestream, claiming, “There are no real killers in London.” Some fans and observers have suggested this may have escalated tensions, particularly given the volatile dynamics between Toronto rap cliques.
Further fueling the speculation were cryptic social media posts from fellow Toronto rappers Why G and FB, both known affiliates of the "Wassa" camp, who were also in London for the festival. After news of the attack broke, both artists allegedly posted laughing emojis to their Instagram stories. While neither has commented directly, many saw the posts as veiled responses to the incident.
Top5’s notoriety extends beyond his music. In 2021, he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Hashim Omar Hashi. The case sparked intense media coverage in Canada, particularly due to Top5’s frequent online provocations and public declarations of innocence. However, in 2024, the charges were stayed after a judge ruled that his lyrics and social media activity could not be admitted as evidence—a landmark decision with implications for freedom of expression in hip-hop.
Since then, Top5 had been trying to rebrand, releasing music more consistently and appearing to distance himself from some of the more inflammatory aspects of his past. His presence at the Wireless Festival was seen by some fans as a sign of renewed industry momentum.
In the wake of the stabbing, DJ Akademiks posted a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Praying for peace at Top5. I love you, brother.” The post was shared widely and echoed by fans hoping for the rapper’s recovery.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers still lurking within parts of the rap world, even as artists cross borders to perform on global stages. For now, Top5’s supporters remain hopeful that this brush with death marks a turning point for the controversial rapper, not an end.
London authorities have not released further updates, and investigations remain ongoing.
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