American rapper and producer Joey Valence — part of the hip-hop duo Joey Valence & Brae (JVB) — has publicly condemned what he describes as the unauthorized use of his group’s song in a recruitment video published by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), promoting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The controversy centers on a recently released DHS video that uses JVB’s 2023 single Hooligang as its soundtrack. The clip shows footage of ICE agents and armored vehicles, concluding with a call to action featuring the agency’s website.
Shortly after the video emerged, Joey Valence took to social media to express his outrage. He wrote that the music “was used without our knowledge or consent to promote I.C.E.”, and emphasized that the video “does NOT represent my OR JVB’s thoughts or beliefs in any form.” He added that they are “actively working to have it taken down.”
As of now, the video remains posted publicly by DHS. A spokesperson for the agency has yet to respond or issue a public comment addressing the group’s objections.
