Headie One (formerly Headz) andRV (formerly Young RV) are among the most prominent members of the group. They were both originally rappers in Star Gang, aroad rap group from the 2000s and an offshoot group from theTottenham Mandem gang.[4] RV and Headie One have frequently collaborated with each other, including co-releasing the mixtapesSticks & Stones (2016) andDrillers x Trappers (2017).[5] In February 2018, Headie One released his solo mixtape,The One. The mixtape included the song "Know Better" featuringRV, which became an "underground hit". This was followed by another solo mixtape,The One Two, in June 2018, which entered theUK Albums Chart at number 32.[6]
Bandokay,Double Lz and SJ are the younger members within OFB, Initially signifying their status using the name Y.OFB (Young OFB), Before later dropping the "Y." and co-opting the "OFB" prefix older members of the group used.[3] Bandokay, Whose real name is Kemani Duggan, Is the son ofMark Duggan, the man whose death by police shooting led to the2011 England riots.[1][2] Bandokay credited music for keeping him away from crime, and stated his desire to be away from police as a motivator:[1]
"Whenever [the police] see me, They stop me, I get what they're trying to do – they're trying to take weapons. But I know they purposely stop me more than anyone else. They know who I am. They know whomy dad is. So that's why I'm trying to go through music and do something positive, so they don't have nothing to say about me."
Bandokay credited fellow OFB rapper Headie One as a major influence, As well as UK drill group67 and American rapperLil Durk.[1] Double Lz notedGiggs, American rapperQuando Rondo, and theChicago drill scene in general as influences.[7]
In January 2019, Headie One released "18Hunna", FeaturingDave, Which entered the UK chart at number 6 - the highest a drill artist, at the time, had ever charted, and has gained over 15 million views onYouTube, as of February 2022.[8][9] Following RV's release from prison,[10] on 22 March 2019, RV and Headie One released a third mixtape calledDrillers x Trappers II.[11] It entered theUK Albums Chart at number 21.[12] "Match Day", the first single from the mixtape, entered the Singles Chart at number 86.[13]
In 2019, the OFB released their first collective mixtape titledFrontstreet, named after a road in Broadwater Farm that locals call "Front Street".[1][3]Dazed Digital called the mixtape "one of the best British debuts of the decade".[2] In 2019, following the release of SJ's "Youngest In Charge", which has gained over 27 million views on YouTube as of February 2022, it was revealed SJ had been arrested was currently facing trial for a murder charge;[3][14] while waiting for his trial, SJ was offered a £150k deal with an unknown record label.[15] SJ was later convicted and sentenced to life with a minimum of 21 years.[16] His sentence would later be reduced to a minimum of 19 years in 2021, which was announced via hisInstagram account.[17] Like many other drill groups, OFB has had its songs taken down by YouTube at the request of theMetropolitan Police. In 2019, OFB's own YouTube channel was also taken down, before later being reinstated the next day. Bandokay stated they were trying to clean up their music in order to avoid takedowns.[1]
In February 2019, Boogie B, real name Demario Williams, was jailed for life with minimum term of 20 years for the murder of Dotty, real name Lewis Blackman, which occurred in February 2018. Lawrence Nkunku-Linongi, who had a previous conviction for carrying a knife, and Paul Glasgow, were handed minimum terms of 18 years for the same crime. Thierry Edusei, who had been on bail on suspicion of violent offences at the time, was handed 11 years for manslaughter.[42][43] Demario's case is frequently mentioned in the lyrics of OFB rappers.
In 2020, SJ, whose real name is Jayden O'Neill-Crichlow, alongside four others (Sheareem Cookhorn, Tyrell "Trills" Graham, Shane "Sneakz" Lyons and Ojay "O'Sav" Hamilton),[44][45] was given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years for the murder of 19-year-old Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck inWood Green. The convicted group was reportedly linked to Tottenham gangNPK.[46] Fights broke out in the dock and the public gallery in reaction to the sentencing. Carl Stanbury, the partner of Lyons' mother, later received seven months in jail for jumping from the public gallery in protest.[47] SJ's sentence was later reduced to a minimum of 19 years in 2021, which was announced via hisInstagram account.[17] Before his sentence, he received a reprimand for the possession of a bladed article at age 14.[44]
In 2022,Bandokay andDouble Lz were charged with violent disorder following a 2021 incident at aSelfridges store, in which two people were stabbed.[48]
In 2024, Bandokay was arrested atGatwick Airport over firearms offences. On 15th of January he appeared atThames Magistrates' Court and was charged with possession of a handgun and ammunition without a licence.[49]On 3 July he pleaded guilty for possession of firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Two days later, Bandokay, real name Kemani Duggan, was given a five years jail sentence.[50]
