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Australian Influencer Spanian Faces New Scrutiny Amid Franchise Arson and Public Order Concerns By BBC News Correspondent SYDNEY – Anthony Lees, the Australian rapper, memoirist, and social media personality widely known as Spanian, is facing renewed public scrutiny following a series of incidents that underscore the volatile nature of his cultural influence. The latest event involves a suspicious fire at one of his branded kebab food trucks in Melbourne, an incident local police are treating as arson. The food truck, part of the rapidly expanding 'Spanian’s Kebabs' franchise model, was significantly damaged in the early hours of Saturday morning. The event has reignited public debate over the dual nature of Mr. Lees' brand, which combines genuine entrepreneurial success and candid social commentary with an often-controversial online presence that courts public disorder. From Incarceration to Influence The story of Spanian, 38, is rooted in the public housing estates of Woolloomooloo, Sydney. Mr. Lees has been remarkably open about his troubled youth, which included a protracted battle with heroin addiction and extensive involvement in crime. Records indicate he spent more than 12 years in prison on various charges, including armed robbery and operating a criminal group. Following his release from Bathurst Correctional Centre in 2017, Mr. Lees pivoted, leveraging his life story into a career in media. He initially gained recognition as a drill rapper, but his popularity surged through his YouTube series, most notably 'Into the Hood'.
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This series documents his visits to impoverished or crime-ridden neighbourhoods across Australia and the globe, offering an uncensored look at communities often ignored by mainstream media. His success, which includes a successful memoir, Spanian: The Unfiltered Hood Life, transformed him from a niche rapper into a broad "eshay influencer," commanding an audience of over a million subscribers. This transition has been held up by some as a powerful example of rehabilitation and redemption. Public Order Incidents Fuel Debate However, Mr. Lees’ influence has not been without significant public cost. Several of his live filming events have spiralled into public order disturbances. In March 2024, a large gathering of fans in Logan, a suburb of Brisbane, led to police intervention, resulting in three police cars being damaged amid what authorities described as a "large hooning event. " A similar incident occurred in Bridgewater, Tasmania, a month later while filming an episode entitled "Inside The Hoods of Hobart. " The event attracted a massive turnout of local residents, leading to allegations of public order offences and property damage. Authorities subsequently filed a charge against Mr. Lees for "instigating the commission of a simple offence," though this charge was eventually dropped by police. Nonetheless, local authorities reported two officers were assaulted and three police vehicles were damaged during the commotion.
Police sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to ongoing investigations, have reportedly expressed concern about the capacity of Mr. Lees’ online calls to action to create "unpredictable and occasionally dangerous environments" in local communities. "The challenge with influencers who operate outside traditional media structures is the lack of editorial control over their interactions with the public," commented Dr. Claire Hadley, a Social Media Analyst at the University of Sydney. "His story offers a powerful narrative of rehabilitation, yet his unfiltered content often creates a volatile environment, blending genuine social commentary with elements of sensationalism that challenge traditional media ethics. " Commercial Fallout and Brand Duality The commercial success of Mr. Lees has consistently been shadowed by public controversy. In May 2023, he was dropped by his management and publisher after posting a series of highly inflammatory comments on social media, including a rant that conflated elements of the LGBTQIA+ community with child groomers. His former management, the hip-hop collective One Day, released a statement at the time condemning the comments, saying they "strongly condemn Spanian conflating issues around child-grooming and paedophilia in connection to the LGBTQIA+ community. " They stated that while they believed in freedom of speech, they could not tolerate "actions and speech which (whether intended or not) incite hatred and are harmful and dangerous to people, especially marginalised communities. " Mr. Lees responded to the backlash in his characteristic uncompromising style, refusing to apologise, which solidified his reputation among a dedicated segment of his fanbase as an anti-establishment figure.
This brand duality is perhaps best encapsulated by his foray into entrepreneurship with ‘Spanian’s Kebabs’. The food trucks, which operate under a franchising model, have been commercially successful, often going viral on social media for their quality and novelty. The recent arson attack on the Melbourne truck introduces a worrying element of external risk, suggesting that the turbulence associated with Mr. Lees’ persona is now impacting his legitimate business ventures. The business owner in Melbourne, who operates the truck under the franchise, has confirmed the vehicle will be back in operation quickly, stating that the truck is "part of their community. " Outlook The trajectory of Spanian’s career continues to represent a clash between mainstream corporate expectation and the raw, unedited nature of digital celebrity. Mr. Lees has successfully monetised his controversial past and unfiltered perspective, creating employment opportunities through his franchising model while simultaneously battling the legal and public fallout from his social media activities and the behaviour of his most devoted followers. As investigations into the Melbourne arson continue, the wider question remains about the social responsibility of digital influencers whose fame is built on confronting and polarising content. His platform grants visibility to some of Australia's most disadvantaged communities, but it often does so at the cost of stability and adherence to civil standards, leaving his reputation perpetually balanced between inspirational success story and societal lightning rod. You can find more background on his journey in this video: Why Does Australia Love Spanian? | The Life Story of Spanian. This video explores the life story and content that led to Spanian's rise in popularity.
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