Manchester rapper No Chill, whose real name is Clint Curtis, has failed in his bid to reduce a 19-year prison sentence for drugs and firearms offences, with appeal judges rejecting arguments that his rap lyrics should not be taken literally.
Curtis, 31, appeared at the Court of Appeal this week to challenge the term imposed after he was convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life. His barrister, Benjamin Summers KC, argued the sentences for the weapons offences were 'manifestly excessive' compared with those given to his co-defendant Jerome Williams, 30, who received 12 years for the same offences.
Lyrics Under Scrutiny
The appeal centred on lyrics from Curtis's debut single 'Coke Deal', including the line 'I bought a big Glock before my Moncler'. The video, uploaded to YouTube in June 2022, has been watched 3.6 million times. Mr Summers said the rap videos 'were never intended to be autobiographical' and that their content 'must not be taken literally'.
However, Lord Justice Stephen Males noted that Curtis had identified the specific weapon, a Glock 45, in his lyrics. When Mr Summers suggested the line should be treated as 'an artistic element', the judge replied: 'Are you inviting us to ignore it?'
Gang Operation and Firearm Discovery
Minshull Street Crown Court previously heard that Curtis played a 'leading role' in the 'Lex' drugs line operation, which sold around £300,000 of heroin and crack cocaine between October 2023 and April 2024. The gang sent almost 50,000 flare messages advertising their products, with messages such as 'Fat rocks of both on Lex' and 'on all night'.
During raids on safe houses by Greater Manchester Police's serious and organised crime group, officers found a Glock handgun and 18 rounds of ammunition at a property on Caythorpe Street in Moss Side. The gun had previously been used in four shootings in Greater Manchester, including a fatal shooting in 2012.
Appeal Dismissed
Mr Summers argued there was no evidence linking Curtis to the previous shootings or proof of when the gang acquired the Glock. He said: 'All that can be said with certainty is that the firearm and ammunition were in the premises prior to their finding in May 2024.'
The three appeal judges, Lord Justice Stephen Males, Mrs Justice Johannah Cutts and Judge Guy Kearl, dismissed the appeal. Mrs Justice Cutts described the jail term as 'just and proportionate', adding: 'The sentences were fair from excessive. We agree that [Curtis] is a dangerous offender. He was fortunate not to have received an extended sentence as a consequence.'
