98s
98s is a British hip-hop collective based in Hackney, London. The group is named after the two postcodes, E9 and E8, where the members are from. Their members include V9, Unknown T, Kay-O, HitMan, DA, DLA, Jimmy, Stally, Alchubbino, Billy Billions, and Mazza. They released their debut album, Class of 98s, on 24 September 2020.
History
98s is a collective of friends from Homerton and Holly Street in Hackney, London. On 4 November 2019, the group appeared on Tim Westwood's Crib Session for a cipher on his show.Individual members such as V9, Unknown T, and KO had success as solo artists before the collective formed in 2020, with the mixtapes Yūdokuna, Rise Above Hate, and Drilliam Shakespeare. On 6 August 2020, the 98s made their debut as a group with the single "Homerton2Holly". Their second and third singles, "Taco" and "Pay Attention," were released on 27 August and 10 September. On 24 September 2020, they released their debut album, Class of 98s. On 12 February 2021, they released the single "WeDa1s".
On 13 December 2023 Kay-O, HitMan, Ka'mani Brightly-Donaldson and Joao Pateco-Te were found guilty of murder. The killing happened on 13 August 2022 in Walthamstow. On 14 January 2025, they were sentenced to a minimum 37 years, 35 years, 38 years and 37 years respectively.