Aspiring Rapper “YungBasedPrince” Charged in Brutal 2021 Acid Attack on College Student
A Brooklyn man and aspiring rapper has been arrested and charged in connection with a horrific 2021 acid attack on a Long Island college student, a breakthrough that prosecutors say was aided by the suspect’s own music video boasting about the crime.
Terrell Campbell, 29, who performs under the stage name “YungBasedPrince,” was arraigned Tuesday on charges including two counts of first-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawful possession of noxious materials. He is accused of ambushing Nafiah Ikram, then a 21-year-old Hofstra University student, in the driveway of her Elmont home on March 17, 2021.
Digital Trail and Lyrics Cited as Evidence
According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, the investigation remained cold for nearly five years until a tipster provided critical information late last year. Following this lead, investigators uncovered a trail of digital evidence that they allege links Campbell to the crime.
Prosecutors revealed that Campbell released a music video for a song titled “Obsidian” on YouTube approximately two years after the attack. The song contains lyrics that authorities argue are a direct reference to the assault on Ikram. In the track, Campbell raps: “On the street in the night, like a hitman assassin. Try to run up and have your face burnin’ acid.”
In addition to the lyrics, digital forensics reportedly uncovered disturbing internet searches made on Campbell’s device just minutes after the attack. These queries included “how to remove sulfuric acid from car fabric,” “sulfuric acid on car seat,” and questions about recovery from acid attacks. Investigators also matched a red Nissan Altima seen fleeing the scene on surveillance footage to a vehicle accessible to Campbell at the time.
Defense and Legal Proceedings
Campbell pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment at Nassau County Court. He was remanded without bail and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
While the prosecution has presented the rap lyrics as a brazen confession, the use of artistic works as evidence in criminal trials remains a complex legal issue. Defense attorneys in similar cases often argue that lyrics are a form of artistic expression and character performance, rather than literal admissions of guilt. As the case proceeds, Campbell retains the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
Authorities have stated that Campbell and Ikram did not know each other, leaving the motive for the attack unclear. When questioned about potential murder-for-hire scenarios, the District Attorney declined to comment, noting that the investigation is ongoing.
Background of the Attack
The attack on Nafiah Ikram shocked the Elmont community and garnered national attention due to the random and vicious nature of the crime. On the night of the incident, Ikram was returning home from work when a hooded figure ran up to her and threw a cup of dark liquid into her face.
The substance, later identified as sulfuric acid, caused third-degree burns to her face, chest, and arms. The attack resulted in permanent injuries, including the loss of vision in her right eye after the acid melted her contact lens. Ikram has since undergone numerous surgeries to reconstruct her eyelids and treat the severe scarring.
For years, the lack of an arrest left the victim and her family living in fear. A $50,000 reward had been offered for information leading to an arrest. “He intended to cause her irreversible harm,” District Attorney Donnelly said of the suspect. “And later he cared so little about the traumatic life-altering injuries he caused, he used the attack to try to further his rap career.”
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