Toronto rapper top5 stabbed in neck while attending Wireless Festival in London

Top5 survives an attempted hit on his life in London after suffering stab wounds to his neck

The Toronto rapper was talking to fans when a masked man ran by and stabbed him pic.twitter.com/19aX78FINE

The stabbing was first reported by hip-hop commentator DJ Akademiks and Toronto-based blog keep6ixsolid. According to their accounts, a masked individual approached Top5 while he was speaking with fans and stabbed him in the neck. Despite the seriousness of the injury, Top5 survived and is reportedly recovering. Keep6ixsolid shared an update on Instagram stating that no major arteries were hit during the attack.

Authorities have not confirmed the exact time or location of the incident, and as of now, Top5 or his team have not issued any public statements. The motive behind the stabbing remains unclear, though online speculation has pointed to ongoing tensions within Toronto's rap scene. Notably, rappers Why G and FB, known affiliates of the “Wassa” camp, were also in London for the festival. Following news of the incident, both artists allegedly posted laughing emojis to their Instagram stories, which some interpreted as mockery or indirect commentary on the attack.

Top5 has long been a controversial figure in Canadian hip-hop, known as much for his legal issues and online persona as for his music. In 2021, he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 20-year-old Hashim Omar Hashi. However, those charges were stayed in 2024 after a court ruled that his lyrics and social media posts could not be used as evidence.

Hours before the stabbing, Top5 reportedly said during a livestream, “There are no real killers in London”—a comment some have viewed as potentially antagonistic.

Hip-hop media figure DJ Akademiks, who is close to Top5, addressed the situation on Instagram, writing, “Praying for peace at top five. I love you, brother.”

Authorities in London have yet to comment on the incident.