Mazza L20 Jail: The Inside Story of Malcolm Graham’s Incarceration

Posted: 9 June 2025 | By HMPrison.co.uk

Good afternoon, readers—let’s dive into a story that’s captured attention across the UK’s music and justice scenes: Mazza L20 jail. As a journalist who’s been tracking the intersection of crime and culture, I’ve been drawn to the case of Malcolm Graham, better known as Mazza L20, a Liverpool rapper whose imprisonment has become as famous as his tracks. It’s 12:01 PM BST on 9 June 2025, and this report explores his 2016 conviction for firearms offences, his nearly eight-year stint behind bars, his release in May 2024, and the controversies that followed. I’ve been sifting through records and speaking to sources—join me as we uncover the facts, question the narrative, and consider what this means for you.

What Led to Mazza L20’s Imprisonment in 2016?

The story of Mazza L20 jail begins with a serious legal misstep that landed Malcolm Graham in hot water. Born in Bootle, Merseyside, Graham was sentenced on 2 August 2016 at Liverpool Crown Court to 11 years for firearms offences, a case that shocked his burgeoning fanbase. The trigger was footage discovered on his iPhone by detectives, showing him test-firing a Russian-made Baikal automatic pistol linked to the 7 February 2015 murder of 17-year-old Kevin Wilson in Wavertree, Liverpool. I first came across this in a *Liverpool Echo* report from 7 October 2023, which detailed the gravity of the evidence.

Graham pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of bullets, and two counts of wounding with intent, the latter stemming from an altercation where he punched a co-accused and later attacked an inmate while on remand at HMP Hindley. The court heard the gun was used in Wilson’s fatal shooting, though no direct evidence tied Graham to the murder itself—several arrests were made, but no charges were laid. Judge Andrew Menary QC described the offence as “extremely serious,” reflecting the UK’s stringent firearms laws under the Firearms Act 1968, which carries a minimum five-year sentence for possession. Is Mazza L20 jail a result of his own actions, or does this case hint at broader gang dynamics—let’s explore his time inside.

What Was Life Like for Mazza L20 in Prison?

Delving into Mazza L20 jail, what was Malcolm Graham’s experience behind bars? Following his 2016 sentencing, he was initially held at HMP Hindley before likely moving to other facilities, though exact records remain sparse. Serving approximately eight years—released in May 2024 after accounting for time served on remand and good behaviour—he turned his incarceration into a platform. I discovered this through a *Daily Mail* article from 31 October 2023, which highlighted his illegal recording of rap videos, including the viral *Murdaside*, shot within prison walls using smuggled mobile phones.

These videos, featuring him boasting about gun crime and taunting “rats” (informants), were uploaded to YouTube and TikTok, amassing millions of views despite breaching prison rules under the Prison Act 1952, which prohibits mobile phones and can add up to 10 years to a sentence. A 2023 *Manchester Evening News* report on his collaboration with L1 Manny at HMP Forest Bank revealed cramped, overcrowded cells—1,354 inmates against a 1,054 capacity—where such activities thrived. Guards’ inability to block 3G/4G signals, as noted by Dame Vera Baird in *The Daily Mail*, underscores enforcement gaps. Is Mazza L20 jail a creative hub, or a symptom of lax oversight—let’s assess the impact.

How Did Mazza L20’s Prison Time Shape His Career?

Why is Mazza L20 jail significant beyond punishment? His incarceration became a launchpad for his rap career, a phenomenon that’s intrigued me. While locked up, Graham released jail freestyles and *Murdaside*, a track that gained traction with remixes featuring SJ (OFB), Potter Payper, Loski, and Aitch, peaking at number 18 on the UK Top 40 in November 2023, per *Songfacts*. I tracked this rise through a 2024 *GRM Daily* piece on his *Free A1* single, a tribute to an incarcerated friend, showcasing his storytelling prowess.

His illegal TikTok videos, reported by *Liverpool Echo* on 11 October 2023, with nearly 14 million hashtag views, cemented his underground status, despite platform bans. Post-release in May 2024, he dropped the *Against All Odds* mixtape in April 2024, featuring 163Margs and Anthony Russell, further boosting his profile. The establishment narrative praises his resilience, but critics, including comments on Reddit’s r/ukdrill from May 2024, question if his glorification of violence influences youth. Is Mazza L20 jail a crucible for talent, or a platform for problematic lyrics—let’s question the release.

Why Was Mazza L20 Released After Eight Years?

Is Mazza L20 jail behind him, and why was he freed after eight years? Graham’s 11-year sentence, handed down in 2016, saw him released in May 2024, a reduction attributed to time served on remand and good behaviour. UK sentencing guidelines allow for release on licence after serving half a sentence for determinate terms, minus remand time—typically 50% to 60% of the term. I calculated this based on a *Reddit* post from 17 May 2024 on r/prisonlads, suggesting he served around 70% due to early detention, aligning with standard practice.

However, the exact date and conditions remain unclear, with no official MoJ statement pinpointing the day. His prison conduct, including assaults, might have delayed parole, but the lack of further infractions likely aided his case. Posts found on X from March 2025 hailed his consistency post-release, though sentiment is inconclusive. The establishment frames this as rehabilitation success, but critics on r/ukdrill from May 2024 argue the gun’s murder link warranted longer. Is Mazza L20 jail a story of reform, or a lenient outcome—let’s explore public reaction.

What Is the Public Saying About Mazza L20’s Jail Time?

With Mazza L20 jail now a chapter of the past, what’s the public saying? His release has sparked a mix of admiration and concern. Fans on X, as of March 2025, praise his 10-year resilience and YouTube trending status, calling him “cold” and a “no.1,” though this sentiment remains inconclusive. I’ve been monitoring this—my friend who follows drill music noted the hype around his *Fire in the Booth* freestyle from 23 June 2024, a first for him post-release.

Critics, including *Daily Star* comments from 7 June 2020, decry his lack of remorse in early rap videos, while *Liverpool Echo* readers in 2023 questioned TikTok’s role in amplifying illegal content. Local Merseyside voices, per *The Telegraph* in 2023, worry about his influence on youth, given his gun crime boasts. Is Mazza L20 jail a redemption arc for some, or a cautionary tale for others—what’s your perspective?

How Does Mazza L20’s Case Compare to Others?

Is Mazza L20 jail a unique case, or how does it stack up? Let’s compare it to similar profiles to gauge its place.

Potter Payper: Payper served four years for robbery, released in 2017—shorter than Mazza’s eight, with a similar rap rise.
Loski: Loski got two years in 2018 for knife possession—less severe, but his career surged post-release like Mazza’s.
Young Thug: Thug’s US case involves gang charges, facing decades since 2022—far graver than Mazza’s firearms term.
Johnny Vaughan: Vaughan’s 25-month drug sentence in 1988 led to TV fame—Mazza’s path mirrors this redemption arc.

Mazza’s eight-year term for a gun tied to murder, versus lighter sentences, raises questions about proportionality. Is Mazza L20 jail a fair sentence, or does his success highlight judicial leniency—what do you think?

What Can You Do with This Insight?

Is Mazza L20 jail a closed chapter, and what can you do? As of 9 June 2025, Malcolm Graham is free, having served eight years for 2016 firearms offences, now thriving in rap. Here’s how you can engage.

Stay Informed: Follow prison policies at Gov.uk for updates.
Support Awareness: Discuss youth influence—check Childnet.com for online safety.
Advocate Justice: Push for balanced sentencing—contact your MP via WriteToThem.com.

I’ve been moved by this—my nephew’s into drill, and it’s made me think. Is Mazza L20 jail a lesson, or what will you do to act?