Race adviser attacks So Solid Crew

So Solid Crew were winners at this year's Brits

The race adviser to the London mayor, Lee Jasper, has attacked bands such as So Solid Crew for inciting violence and glorifying thug culture.

Mr Jasper told BBC London news programme First Sight that he was concerned about a link between street violence and the language used in music.

Shootings, people getting killed, people getting stabbed... you expect it to happen

Megaman

Controversial garage band So Solid Crew, winners at this year's Brits, hit the headlines last year when their national tour was scrapped following a shooting at one of their concerts.

Mr Jasper said: "Somebody needs to say 'Actually we are singing about these things but we are not suggesting you go out there and do it'.

'Stabbed'

"'We are not suggesting we are those bad boys. What we are talking about is a way of life and reflecting it'."

Lee Jasper advises Lond Mayor Ken Livingstone

The documentary, entitled Dangerous Dancing, explores the links between guns, weapons and club culture in London.

In an interview with First Sight, So Solid Crew member Megaman said of the shootings at the concert: "That's normal man we been around it from day one, blood, you get me, shootings, people getting killed, people getting stabbed... you expect it to happen."

There were 14 shootings in and around London's music scene last year, a third of all the shootings in the capital, and some groups are finding it hard to secure venues, reports the programme.

DJs, club owners and the police are working together to increase security at music venues.

The police have been criticised by some promoters for shutting down venues in an attempt to prevent violence.

Promoter and DJ Hanif said: "If I had a corner shop and it was robbed every day the police would not tell me to shut it down they would have to deal with the root of the problem which is the person causing the problem."

First Sight is on BBC Two in London (and across England on digital satellite and terrestrial TV) at 1930 GMT on Thursday.