Award-winning Swedish rapper C.Gambino, whose real name was Karar Ramadan, was fatally shot in a parking garage in Gothenburg, Sweden on June 4, 2024. The 26-year-old artist was ambushed by one or more attackers lying in wait as he parked his car. He was hit by multiple bullets and later pronounced dead at the hospital.
C.Gambino, renowned for keeping his identity hidden behind a mask, was one of Sweden’s most prominent hip-hop stars. He recently won the prestigious Grammy Award for Hip-Hop of the Year and had around one million monthly listeners on Spotify. His latest single, “Sista Gang” (Last Time), released on May 31, has been streamed over 700,000 times.
The police believe the shooting is linked to gang violence, an issue that has been escalating in Sweden over recent years. “We suspect the crime has links to the gangs’ environment,” said a police spokesperson. C.Gambino’s murder is reminiscent of the 2021 killing of another Swedish rapper, Einár, who was also involved in gang conflicts.
Residents are shaken by the incident. A man who has lived in the area for 15 years remarked, “Unfortunately, I think we can expect more… It’s sad,” reflecting on the frequent occurrence of such violent events in the region. Witnesses reported seeing a silver Volvo V70 leaving the scene shortly after the shooting.
C.Gambino’s music career was marked by significant achievements. He released his debut album “Sin City” in 2022, which reached number two on the Swedish charts. His collaborative EP “M.O.B” with fellow rapper 23 topped the charts in 2023. His most recent album, “In Memory of Some Stand-Up Guys,” was released earlier this year and featured hit singles like “G63″ and “Automatic.”
Rap expert Petter Hallen described C.Gambino as “one of Swedish hip hop’s greats,” adding that his death is “a heavy blow to the rap scene in Gothenburg and all of Sweden.” Hallen noted that C.Gambino had recently shifted his lyrical focus from darker themes to more personal and emotional expressions.
The investigation into C.Gambino’s murder is ongoing, with police appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the attackers. No arrests have been made so far.
