The loss of South London rapper Cadet provoked outpourings of grief on social media, and led to a tribute event in Hyde Park on the day after he died.
Blaine Abdul Cameron Johnson, 28 – dubbed the ‘Underrated Legend’ –  was on his way to perform at Keele University’s ‘Fresh Friday’ event –  Staffordshire’s Biggest Hip Hop, Garage & R’n’B Night – when the Toyota Prius he was travelling in was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Combo van. The rapper was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

Cadet’s cousin Krept took to Twitter and Instagram to mourn the loss and to tell people about the Hyde Park tribute event.

Krept was joined online by fellow Play Dirty members Yungen and Konan.

CEO of YouTube show ‘Chicken Shop Dates’ Amelia Dimoldenberg reflected on her ‘favourite interview ever’ with the artist.

Cadet’s death came as his career was on the rise. Following the release of two freestyles and the success of his first mixtapes The Commitment in 2016 and The Commitment 2 a year later, his last track Advice – released in October 2018 – got to number 27 in the UK Singles Chart.

The rapper, from Gypsy Hill in South London, was part of the rap crew Gipset together with UK duo Konan and Krept – who was also Cadet’s cousin and best friend. Cadet and Krept grew up together and were in the same rap crew from 2006 to 2010 before Krept & Konan left following a major record deal with Virgin Media. 

The Hyde Park vigil held in Hyde Park the day after the accident attracted over 200 people. The crowd, which included family friends and fans, listened to Cadet’s music before releasing balloons at 4pm. Cadet’s mother addressed the crowd saying, “I want peace and harmony. I am so proud. We are so proud of him because he has accomplished so much in his life and it was not wasted.” 

Cadet became a devout Muslim after converting at the age of 15, and was known as the artist who was “always smiling.”

 

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