UK rapper L-Jinny - seen here freestyle rapping - is the prime suspect in two beheading of Western journalists.

BEFORE he was named as a key suspect in the brutal beheading of two western journalists, the man who has become known as Jihad John was an aspiring rapper with a dark message.

Abdel-Majed Abdel Bary, who released music videos under the name L Jinny and even had a few songs played on BBC radio, has gained notoriety for darker reasons other than his music.

The British man has gained worldwide attention after he was named as the chief suspect in the gruesome beheading of American journalist James Foley.

Police and intelligence officials told Britain’s Sunday Times that “MI5 and MI6 is almost certain of the identity of the British jihadist” who appeared and spoke in the video posted by IS militants.

Jihad John is also believed to be the same British executioner who has appeared in a shocking new video, this time appearing to behead US journalist Steven Sotloff.

But before the 23-year-old left his million-dollar West London home to take up the fight in Syria last year, his lyrics provide a few chilling clues to his apparent growing unhappiness.

In a video originally uploaded in June last year called Overdose, the rapper provides an insight into his dark thoughts.

In the clip, he raps about just letting “a brother live his life in peace” and hints at growing isolation.

“I walk through my hometown looking for love. He tapped me on my shoulder and told me that there wouldn’t be much, because we’re surrounded by nothing but black hearts,” he raps.

He also raps about how “all the stress and this pressure is pressing my buttons” but figures it is “all just part of the plan”.

He then gets a little philosophical about his situation by revealing: “I need something with a deeper meaning. Food for thought, and that will keep me eating. Unfortunately, by belly hurts ’cause it’s empty. Yeah, I love feeling like the world is against me.”

Other key lyrics include: “How can you judge what you do not know? How can you love what you do not trust?”, “My daddy got given life” and “I’m lucky I’m not sitting in jail”.

He goes on to assure his fans that he’s still the same “Jin-nay”, just with a bit of rage in him.

It’s the only song which hints at his unhappiness.

In another song, The Beginning, he raps about his father being in jail.

“Gimme that nine and I’ll cock it for my partners; Gimme the pride and I’ll honour it like my father.

“I swear the day they came and took my dad I could’ve killed a couple, too, and I wouldn’t have looked back. Imagine back then I was only 6. Just picture what I’ll do now with a loaded stick.”

Bary, 23, is the son of an Egyptian-born militant who is awaiting trial on terror charges in New York tied to the deadly 1998 bombings of embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The rapper’s lyrics provide some insight into how a young man from a good area became a militant fighter.

The young Brit was reportedly radicalised by followers of firebrand ­Islamic preacher Anjem Choudary and walked out of his family’s home last year, saying he was “leaving everything for the sake of Allah.”

In June this year, The Sunday Times revealed a threat made by Bary on Twitter.

“The lions are coming for you soon you filthy kuffs (infidels),” he wrote. “Beheadings in your own backyard soon.”

Just last month, he was seen in a photo posted to Twitter wearing camouflage clothing and a black balaclava while holding a severed head with his left hand — the same hand “John” is seen using to draw a knife across Foley’s throat in his execution video.

Former hostages held by ISIS have also said he is one of several jihadists they nicknamed “the Beatles” due to their British accents, with two others referred to as “George” and “Ringo.”

It is understood he is also one of a small handful of British citizens who are responsible for guarding IS captives, according to the BBC.

He is also believed to have been the main rebel negotiator during talks this year to release 11 IS hostages who were handed to Turkish officials after ransom demands were met, The Guardian reported.

One former hostage who was held for a year in Raqqa, also told The Guardian the British executioner appeared to be intelligent, educated and “a devout believer in radical Islamic teachings”.