The Shocking Moment Toronto Rapper Top5 Was Stabbed After Drake’s Wireless Festival Performance
London’s buzzing Wireless Festival 2025 ended in violence when Top5, a Toronto-based rapper closely linked with Drake, was brutally attacked and stabbed just minutes after leaving the venue. This wasn’t just another rapper drama—this was a moment that shook both the UK and Canadian hip-hop scenes to their core. The incident, captured partially on video and now making waves across social media, shows a group of masked men surrounding Top5’s white Mercedes, smashing the windscreen, kicking the vehicle, and eventually stabbing him. The chaos erupted near Finsbury Park, just after midnight on July 13, following Drake’s high-energy closing set. According to reports, the 26-year-old rapper suffered a stab wound to the leg, not the neck as some rumors claimed. He managed to escape the scene and was later hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries—a narrow escape from what could have been fatal.
Who is Top5? From Drake Co-sign to Controversial Headlines
For those wondering “Who is Top5 and why is this news blowing up?” — here’s the context. Top5, whose real name is Hassan Ali, is no stranger to the spotlight or controversy. Hailing from Toronto’s rough Lawrence Heights neighborhood, the rapper initially gained attention when Drake shared one of his tracks back in 2015, essentially giving him a viral co-sign that skyrocketed his visibility. Since then, he’s built a solid underground fanbase, with over 70,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and a reputation for saying exactly what’s on his mind—whether it offends people or not. He’s been involved in multiple legal cases, including a 2021 murder charge, from which he was later cleared, and he’s known for provocations, especially when it comes to calling out UK rappers, claiming “there are no real killers in London.” Whether he meant that as banter or bravado, it clearly didn’t sit well with some in the British scene. And if recent events are anything to go by, the streets may have decided to respond—physically.
The Build-Up to Violence: Did Top5’s Own Words Trigger the Attack?
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t random. The attack didn’t feel like a mugging or a one-off street altercation—it had all the signs of a targeted retaliation. Just weeks before, Top5 had been mocking UK rappers on live streams, taunting them and claiming superiority. Combine that with his recent antics like trying to crash Kendrick Lamar’s hotel in Toronto as a publicity stunt, and you’ve got a man walking with a target on his back. Critics now speculate that his comments about UK rap being “soft” and lacking “real gangsta roots” might’ve finally pushed someone to take action. And let’s not forget the symbolic setting: Wireless Festival is the heartbeat of British hip-hop culture, and Top5’s presence there—immediately after a Drake set—might’ve been seen as flaunting or even disrespectful by rival crews. Whether it was clout chasing, ego, or a misunderstanding, something clearly boiled over in London that night.
Breaking Down the Attack: Timeline of the Wireless Festival Stabbing Incident
Here’s a breakdown of what happened, according to verified media reports:
| Date & Time | July 13, 2025, around 12:15 AM |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Finsbury Park, London (Springpark Drive) |
| Victim | Top5 (Hassan Ali), 26-year-old rapper from Toronto |
| Incident | Ambushed by ~12 individuals, car vandalized, stabbed |
| Injuries | Non-life-threatening stab wound to the leg |
| Response | Taken to hospital, police investigating, no arrests yet |
| Case ID | CAD105/17JULY (Met Police, London) |
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they’re actively investigating, urging eyewitnesses or anyone with footage to come forward. While the video circulating online is disturbing, it’s unclear if it’s enough to make arrests. Top5 has remained silent since the attack, but insiders close to him have confirmed he’s recovering well. Meanwhile, fans and fellow artists, including DJ Akademiks, have spoken out, wishing him a speedy recovery and expressing shock at the level of violence.
What This Means for the UK vs Canada Rap Culture Clash
Top5’s stabbing is more than just headline news—it’s a reflection of the growing tensions between global rap scenes, particularly Toronto’s gritty drill-infused sound and London’s hard-hitting grime culture. While Drake and UK artists like Skepta and Giggs have collaborated and shown brotherhood, newer artists haven’t always followed that path. Top5 represents a louder, brasher generation of rappers who use social media to fuel rivalries, gain attention, and sometimes cross lines that older generations might’ve respected. Whether this event leads to more violence or opens up a conversation about boundaries in rap culture remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure—the streets are watching. And in this age of viral fame and instant beefs, it doesn’t take long for words to become weapons.
Final Thoughts: Fame, Ego, and the Razor-Thin Line Between Clout and Chaos
The Top5 stabbing in London is a brutal reminder of how quickly fame can flip into danger, especially when ego, rivalry, and regional pride come into play. This wasn’t just an attack—it was a message. Whether it was a personal vendetta or a public warning to other outsiders who talk tough on UK soil, the result was the same: blood on the streets after what should’ve been a celebration of music and culture. Top5 may have walked away with his life, but this story is far from over. As police dig deeper and more footage emerges, the question lingers: Was this the start of something bigger—or just a warning shot that hit its mark?
