Zim rapper Cal_Vin dies at 35

According to local media, Cal_Vin jumped on the car’s bonnet, but the driver continued driving and ran over him before driving away. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

News about Cal_Vin's death began pouring on social media. Fellow rapper Blacperl wrote on Facebook: “Woke up to the news that Cal_Vin is no more. I'm devastated, this has not been a great year, 2020 is taking the young ones.”

South African rapper Cassper Nyovest, who featured Cal_Vin on ‘Z'khuphan’, took to Twitter to express his condolences. “Rest in peace big dawg. Sad news, Zimbabwe rap icon Cal_Vin, what a passionate guy.”

Zim Hip Hop Awards director Aldrian Beefy Harrison wrote on Facebook: “Brother, we had just sealed a deal and was about to announce it then you leave us like this. We had many differences but the love was always real, I always had love for you, little brother. We spoke hours ago making plans for December. Now, what do I do now? I still find this hard to believe, we agreed you would host this year’s awards brother. This is too much for me to handle. RIP Luveve boy.”

Singer and Zimbabwe Music Union chairperson Edith WeUtonga wrote: “We have lost a brother, son and an amazing ball of talent.”

Entrepreneur Kuda Musasiwa said: “Cal_Vin was a brilliant, prolific, hardworking, talented and misunderstood individual. I have some great memories working with him. I feel so sad for hip hop, his mom, his daughter, his crew and all his loved ones. He can’t be replaced.”

Cal_Vin rose to fame in 2014 when one of his songs ‘Bebengakholwa’ off the Perfect Balance album topped local radio charts. Some of his albums include Dat Luveve Boy, Askies, Year ff The Vin, Santa Vin and The Planet Vin. He has produced for local artists like Orthodox, Langelihle, MC Tytoh, POY, Guluva Seven and Botswana's DJ Emasto, Bra Snipes as well as Haem O (Swaziland), Testa Uno (South Africa) and Metamorphic (South Africa).

His music secured him performances in Botswana, South Africa, Germany and the UK, among others. Cal_Vin has won a number of awards at the Bulawayo Arts Awards, Zim Hip Hop Awards and Zimbabwe Music Awards.