Young fans of a famous rapper-turned-YouTube star turned on police during a chaotic public appearance on a suburban street.
Large crowds gathered in Waterford West in the southeastern Queensland town of Logan on Saturday to greet Spanian, whose real name is Anthony Lees, a former inmate who has gained fame as a rapper and YouTube star.
Police were present to control the crowd, but it wasn’t long before officers called for backup because the situation got out of control.
Images posted on social media captured the wild scenes on the crowded street, including multiple burns as clouds of smoke filled the sky.
Flares were also launched as drivers performed risky stunts.
The Hoons were also filmed surrounding and attacking a police car, where they repeatedly kicked the vehicle which was covered in dents.
Another video showed bottles being thrown at police vehicles.
There were wild scenes when fans of the Spanish rapper-turned-YouTuber allegedly attacked police cars in Logan on Saturday.
Three police vehicles were reportedly damaged in the chaos.
Queensland Police have called the gathering “a large-scale harassment event.”
“Officers responded to reports of a large group of people gathering for an event on Bourke Street at around 2pm,” a police statement said.
‘Approximately 350 people came to the area, and some vehicles committed traffic violations and drove in a dangerous manner.
‘Several teams rushed to the scene and declared an out-of-control event and blocked the street.
“Three police cars were damaged as a result of the incident.”
Officers, including specialist teams, were called in from across the Logan, Gold Coast and South Brisbane districts to regain control.
Finally, at four in the afternoon, order was restored.
One person was arrested and no injuries were reported.
Investigations into the incident continue.
“The potential for tragedy cannot be underestimated, they are putting their lives at risk,” said Chief Inspector Les Bulluss.
Residents living on Bourke Street were furious that their neighborhood was transformed into a war zone.
“It’s disgusting,” said one woman. Nine news.
When an attendee was asked about the reason for the meeting, he explained: “mate, it’s a party, it’s just a party, it’s family.”
It’s the same location where teenager Jai Anderson, 17, died a year ago after he was allegedly hit by a utility vehicle while riding a dirt bike.
Three police vehicles were allegedly damaged during the chaos on Saturday afternoon.
Hoons allegedly kicked and threw bottles at police vehicles
Spanian, originally from the inner Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo, entered juvenile detention at age 15 and became addicted to heroin the following year.
He spent the next 12 years in and out of New South Wales prisons for drug dealing, assaults and robberies before reforming in 2017 and establishing a successful rap career.
Dedicated to producing content for social media, he has half a million followers on Instagram and has attracted 83 million views on YouTube.
His popular YouTube series Into the Hood sees him delve into the most notorious crime-ridden areas of the world.
His fans are often characterized as eshays,
Famous rapper-turned-YouTube star’s public appearance drew 350 people
Spanian (left), who grew up in inner Sydney, has turned his criminal past into fame as a rapper and YouTube star.