On June 4, 2024, the acclaimed Swedish rapper C.Gambino, born Karar Ramadan, was shot dead in a parking structure in Gothenburg, Sweden. The 26-year-old was fatally wounded by multiple bullets in an ambush as he parked his vehicle, and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Known for his masked persona, C.Gambino was a leading figure in Sweden’s hip-hop scene. His recent accolades included the esteemed Grammy Award for Hip-Hop of the Year and he boasted nearly one million monthly Spotify listeners. His latest track, “Sista Gang” (Last Time), released mere days before his death on May 31, has already amassed over 700,000 streams.
Authorities suspect this fatal shooting is tied to the rising gang violence in Sweden. A spokesperson for the police stated, “We suspect the crime has links to the gangs’ environment.” The tragic event echoes the 2021 murder of Swedish rapper Einár, another casualty of gang-related disputes.
The local community is deeply disturbed by this violent act. One long-term resident, who has lived in the area for 15 years, commented, “Unfortunately, I think we can expect more… It’s sad,” highlighting the unsettling frequency of such violent incidents in the region. Eyewitnesses reported a silver Volvo V70 fleeing the scene soon after the shooting took place.
Throughout his music career, C.Gambino had many notable accomplishments. His debut album, “Sin City,” released in 2022, peaked at number two on the Swedish charts. The following year, his joint EP “M.O.B” with rapper 23 topped the charts. His latest album, “In Memory of Some Stand-Up Guys,” dropped earlier this year, featuring popular singles like “G63” and “Automatic.”
Petter Hallen, a noted rap analyst, described C.Gambino as “one of Swedish hip hop’s greats.” He went on to say that his death represents “a heavy blow to the rap scene in Gothenburg and all of Sweden.” Hallen pointed out that C.Gambino had recently shifted his music to incorporate more personal and emotional experiences, moving away from previous darker themes.
On Friday, June 7, Swedish prosecutors said they have detained two individuals suspected of being accomplices in the murder of the acclaimed hip-hop artist. “Prosecutors have arrested two people on probable cause suspected of aiding and abetting the murder,” the Swedish Prosecution Authority said in a statement.
