Karar Ramadan, better known by his stage name C.Gambino, was killed in a car park ambush in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 4, 2024. The 26-year-old award-winning rapper found himself under fire as he parked his vehicle, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
With his identity concealed behind a mask, C.Gambino was one of the most acclaimed figures in Sweden’s hip-hop scene. He recently clinched the coveted Grammy Award for Hip-Hop of the Year and boasted about one million monthly listeners on Spotify. His latest release, “Sista Gang” (Last Time), debuted on May 31 and has garnered over 700,000 streams.
Authorities suspect the fatal shooting is tied to gang-related violence, an issue that has been on the rise in Sweden in recent years. “We suspect the crime has links to the gangs’ environment,” stated a police spokesperson. The incident mirrors the 2021 murder of Einár, another Swedish rapper embroiled in gang disputes.
The violent event has left the local community in shock. “Unfortunately, I think we can expect more… It’s sad,” commented a local resident who has lived in the area for 15 years, indicating the increasing frequency of such incidents. Witnesses reported a silver Volvo V70 fleeing the scene following the shooting.
C.Gambino’s career in music was marked by numerous milestones. His debut album “Sin City,” launched in 2022, secured the second spot on the Swedish charts. In 2023, his joint EP “M.O.B” with fellow rapper 23, topped the charts. His latest album, “In Memory of Some Stand-Up Guys,” released earlier this year, featured popular singles like “G63″ and “Automatic.”
Describing C.Gambino as “one of Swedish hip hop’s greats,” Rap expert Petter Hallen stated that the rapper’s death is “a heavy blow to the rap scene in Gothenburg and all of Sweden.” Hallen noted a recent shift in C.Gambino’s lyrics from dark themes towards more personal and emotive content.
The investigation into C.Gambino’s homicide remains active, with authorities calling on the public to provide any information that may aid in identifying the perpetrators.
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.
