Cadet (rapper)

Cadet first became known for his association with Krept and Konan's Gipset crew in 2006, frequently appearing in music videos for the group's freestyles. Cadet released his first commercial mixtape, Are You Ready, on 4 April 2008.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/are-you-ready/279550366|title=Are You Ready by Cadet|date=4 April 2008|via=music.apple.com|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217230157/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/are-you-ready/279550366|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}} The Gipset crew garnered a considerable following across social media toward the end of 2010 through their freestyles about gang life and London living. Gipset broke up in 2013 after Krept and Konan signed their major label deal, and all other members focused on their solo careers.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cadet-mn0003126810/biography|title=Cadet: Biography|last=Wilson|first=Rich|website=AllMusic|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232541/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cadet-mn0003126810/biography|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}

Cadet began pursuing a solo career in 2010. He was featured on the single Dungeon Dragons by Stormzy in 2011 and collaborated with the rapper again in 2012 on the single GrimeWork.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIPyzHBLokE Stormzy ft. Cadet - Dungeon Dragon (Music Video)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422113752/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIPyzHBLokE |date=22 April 2019 }} on YouTube[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mvJlf3vIg Stormzy x Cadet - GrimeWorks (Music Video) ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428145123/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mvJlf3vIg |date=28 April 2019 }} on YouTube Cadet released a series of bars for SBTV throughout his years, including a Warm up session released in 2015.

He released his first freestyle, "Slut", via OSM Vision in July 2015. The song was popular, and had received over 3.1 million views as of February 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1FeIlIU_d4|title=Cadet slut freestyle – Video by @1OSMVision [ @CallMeCadet ]|via=YouTube|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428100502/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1FeIlIU_d4|archive-date=28 April 2019|url-status=live}} The following month, Cadet was selected by Link Up TV to appear on their Behind Barz freestyle series, and his freestyle was uploaded to YouTube on 17 August 2015, receiving 2.3 million views as of February 2019. The freestyle attracted praise from American media outlet Complex, who called it "storytelling at its finest" and "better than some rappers' whole mixtape".{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/cadet-behind-barz-link-up-tv-freestyle|title=Cadet's New Freestyle Is Better Than Some Rappers' Whole Mixtape|last=Patterson|first=Joseph|date=18 August 2015|website=Complex|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232522/https://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/cadet-behind-barz-link-up-tv-freestyle|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}

Cadet's debut EP, The Commitment, was released in 2016. The EP has features from Donae'o, Konan and Tis Rome.{{cite web|url=http://grimenation.co.uk/cadet-the-commitment-ep/|title=Cadet - 'The Commitment EP'|date=19 February 2016|website=Grime Nation|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011245/http://grimenation.co.uk/cadet-the-commitment-ep/|archive-date=12 February 2019|url-status=live}} It was the first commercial release by the rapper.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-commitment-mw0003180057|title=The Commitment - Cadet | Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011225/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-commitment-mw0003180057|archive-date=12 February 2019|url-status=live}} Cadet received considerable recognition after releasing "Letter to Krept" in 2016. In "Letter to Krept", Cadet reaches out to communicate with his cousin Krept about a misunderstanding between the pair. Cadet explains their story together, describing the principal events which lead to the distance between them at the point of this song's release.{{cite web|url=https://genius.com/Cadet-letter-to-krept-lyrics|title=Cadet – Letter to Krept|via=genius.com|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213014033/https://genius.com/Cadet-letter-to-krept-lyrics|archive-date=13 February 2019|url-status=live}} Krept consequently released "Letter to Cadet" to share his side of the story. The single "Corn" featuring Big Tobz was released in December 2016.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/corn-single/1392517905|title=Corn - Single by Cadet & Big Tobz|date=2 December 2016|via=music.apple.com|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217230157/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/corn-single/1392517905|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}}

Cadet released his sophomore EP The Commitment 2, a sequel to his first release, in 2017. The EP featured guest appearances from Konan and Ghetts, as well as vocals from Shakka. In the same year, he released the singles "Southside" featuring Geko, and "What's Good" featuring Loski.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/southside-feat-geko-single/1391765600|title=Southside (feat. Geko) - Single by Cadet|date=9 November 2017|via=music.apple.com|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217230156/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/southside-feat-geko-single/1391765600|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/whats-good-feat-loski-single/1391767386|title=What's Good (feat. Loski) - Single by Cadet|date=24 October 2017|via=music.apple.com|access-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217233032/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/whats-good-feat-loski-single/1391767386|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}}

He released the single Closure, a part 2 to his "Slut Freestyle" in April 2018 to much success which gained international attention. Cadet was featured on the remix of Rudimental's single Toast to Our Differences alongside Jaykae and Shungudzo which was released on 12 June 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/Rudimental/news/Rudimental-Detail-New-Album-Toast-To-Our-Differences-Release-Video/22348627.html|title=Rudimental Detail New Album, Toast To Our Differences, Release Video|work=Hot Press|access-date=17 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145233/https://www.hotpress.com/Rudimental/news/Rudimental-Detail-New-Album-Toast-To-Our-Differences-Release-Video/22348627.html|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}} On 29 August 2018, Cadet released the single "Advice" featuring Deno. It was his first charting single, initially peaking at number 27 on the UK Top 40, and receiving over 18 million views on YouTube as of February 2019. The song was initially a freestyle which took place in Cadet's car before it was released as a single. His second charting single, "Pumpy", was released on 26 October 2018. The single was produced by Da Beatfreakz and had vocals from Swarmz and AJ & Deno.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/54605/da-beatfreakz-aj-deno-cadet/|title="Pumpy" Peak Position – 2018|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212015833/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/54605/da-beatfreakz-aj-deno-cadet/|archive-date=12 February 2019|url-status=live}} "Trendy" featuring Ay Em and Tion Wayne was released in December 2018. This would be the last single released during his lifetime.

After consulting his family, Cadet's second Daily Duppy freestyle was released on GRM Daily on 22 April 2019 posthumously.{{cite web|url=http://grmdaily.com/video/cadet-daily-duppy-2019|title=Premiere: Cadet shines in his second Daily Duppy Freestyle|date=21 April 2019|publisher=GRM Daily|access-date=21 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421231246/http://grmdaily.com/video/cadet-daily-duppy-2019|archive-date=21 April 2019|url-status=live}} On 29 August 2019, Cadets' single Gang Gang was also released posthumously. It was released via GRM Daily and highlights the prejudices black men face from being wrongfully targeted by the police and was sparked by an incident Cadet himself faced from the police.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/08/29/rapper-cadets-single-gang-gang-post-humously-released-fans-pay-tribute-10655194/|title=Rapper Cadet's single Gang Gang post-humously released as fans pay tribute|date=29 August 2019|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102104538/https://metro.co.uk/2019/08/29/rapper-cadets-single-gang-gang-post-humously-released-fans-pay-tribute-10655194/|archive-date=2 November 2019|url-status=live}} The single peaked at 82 on the UK Singles Chart.

On 1 March 2020, Cadet's cousin Krept announced that Cadet's studio album The Rated Legend was in the works.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/late-british-rapper-cadets-posthumous-debut-album-the-rated-legend-to-arrive-next-month-2619493|title=Late British rapper Cadet's posthumous debut album 'The Rated Legend' to arrive next month|website=Nme.com|date=2 March 2020}} The album is his debut studio release and was released on 10 April 2020, with Krept serving as executive producer. It features Cadet's Platinum-certified single "Advice" and the posthumously released "Gang Gang" as well as previously unreleased music recorded during his life.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/rap-star-cadet-release-posthumous-3909668|title=Cadet to release debut album - a year after he was killed in North Staffs crash|first=Hayley|last=Parker|date=3 March 2020|website=Stokesentinel.co.uk}} Krept stated that he wishes to "keep Cadet's name alive and to make sure he can continue what he started and achieved".{{cite web|url=https://www.dummymag.com/news/cadet-the-rated-legend/ |title=Cadet's posthumous debut album 'The Rated Legend' will be released in April |publisher=Dummy Mag |date=2020-05-14 |accessdate=2020-05-21}} It was later revealed that all producers and artists contributed to the album for free. It was issued via Cadet's record label imprint Underrated Legends with production features from Show N Prove and Da Beatfreakz and includes vocal features from Young Adz, Krept & Konan, Swarmz, Wretch 32, Chip, Tion Wayne, and Deno.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/cadets-posthumous-debut-album-to-be-released-in-april/|title=Cadet's posthumous debut album to be released in April|website=Eveningexpress.co.uk|date=3 March 2020}}

Johnson was the cousin of fellow rapper Krept, and the two spent much of their childhood growing up together.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/kreptplaydirty/status/1094169145137090560|title=My life will never be the same again. I love you and will forever miss you. I cant believe it. I am heartbroken. Rest in peace cuz. You finally started getting the recognition you deserved. Im so proud of you. My left lung. Im devestated [sic] and broken right now pic.twitter.com/125pWPMzO1|last=TALLY|date=9 February 2019|publisher=|accessdate=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210025154/https://twitter.com/kreptplaydirty/status/1094169145137090560|archive-date=10 February 2019|url-status=live}} Johnson converted to Islam at the age of 15 and mentioned his faith numerous times in his music.{{cite web|url=https://hotnewhiphop.co.uk/cadet-the-rapper/|title=Cadet, the rapper – HNHH – UK|publisher=|accessdate=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210154133/https://hotnewhiphop.co.uk/cadet-the-rapper/|archive-date=10 February 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY0R505kdPA|title=Cadet – Behind Barz - @CallMeCadet – Link Up TV|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527201313/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY0R505kdPA|archive-date=27 May 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/cadet-up-and-coming-british-rapper-dead-at-28-after-car-crash-en-route-to-performance-119249|title=Cadet, Up-and-Coming British Rapper, Dead at 28 After Car Crash|website=Entertainment Tonight|accessdate=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209213530/https://www.etonline.com/cadet-up-and-coming-british-rapper-dead-at-28-after-car-crash-en-route-to-performance-119249|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}} Johnson was of Jamaican descent.{{Cite tweet |user=Callmecadet|author=Cadet |number=674509417937768448|date = 9 December 2015 |title=Nah fully Jamaican bro }}

On 9 February 2019, Johnson and three friends were on their way to a gig at Keele University in Staffordshire when a Vauxhall Combo slammed head-on into their Toyota Prius in Betley, approximately 8 km from the venue. Johnson died at the scene of severe head injuries. His friends and the drivers of both vehicles survived the accident and were sent directly to hospitals for treatment.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/09/uk/uk-rapper-cadet-killed-gbr-scli-intl/index.html|title=UK rapper Cadet killed in car crash on way to gig|last=Smith-Spark|first=Laura|date=9 February 2019|website=CNN|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210000754/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/09/uk/uk-rapper-cadet-killed-gbr-scli-intl/index.html|archive-date=10 February 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/09/british-rapper-cadet-dies-in-taxi-crash-on-way-to-staffordshire-gig-the-commitment|title=British rapper Cadet dies in taxi crash on way to Staffordshire gig|first=Mattha|last=Busby|date=9 February 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209155630/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/feb/09/british-rapper-cadet-dies-in-taxi-crash-on-way-to-staffordshire-gig-the-commitment|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/article/10987/Man-who-died-in-Betley-collision-named|title=Man who died in Betley collision named – Staffordshire Police|website=www.staffordshire.police.uk|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210100100/https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/article/10987/Man-who-died-in-Betley-collision-named|archive-date=10 February 2019|url-status=dead}}

On 1 November 2019, 23-year-old Jordan Birch of Woore, Shropshire, was charged with killing Cadet by dangerous driving, and with seriously injuring Cadet's driver Kashif Usman.{{cite web|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/cadet-blaine-johnson-court-jordon-3486155|title=Man, 23, in court charged with killing rapper Cadet by dangerous driving|first=Hayley|last=Parker|date=31 October 2019|website=Stokesentinel.co.uk|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101174014/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/cadet-blaine-johnson-court-jordon-3486155|archive-date=1 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/cadet-man-charged-court-killing-dangerous-driving/|title=Cadet: Man, 23, Charged In Court With Killing Rapper By Dangerous Driving|website=Capital XTRA|date=20 October 2018 |access-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102103952/https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/cadet-man-charged-court-killing-dangerous-driving/|archive-date=2 November 2019|url-status=live}} Birch had drunk six pints of beer and was above the blood alcohol limit, was driving at twice the speed limit, and was on the wrong side of the road.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Rob |title=Jailed: Shropshire man drove on wrong side of road at twice the speed limit after drinking six pints of beer before killing rapper in crash |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/north-shropshire/market-drayton/2020/01/09/shropshire-man-who-drove-after-six-pints-and-killed-rapper-in-crash-jailed/ |access-date=5 December 2022 |work=Shropshire Star |date=9 January 2020}} In December, he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving at a plea and hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. In January 2020, Birch was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months, with the first half being in prison and the second half on licence.{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Mel |title=Driver who killed rapper Cadet in car crash has been sentenced to 4 years prison |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/01/09/driver-killed-rapper-cadet-car-crash-jailed-4-years-12030956/ |website=Metro |date=9 January 2020}}{{cite web |title=Cadet: Man pleads guilty to causing death of grime rapper |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50645074 |website=BBC News |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209180953/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50645074 |archivedate=9 December 2019 |date=3 December 2019}}

Many of Johnson's contemporaries took to social media to pay tribute. Krept said he was "devastated and broken", and announced that a public tribute would take place the following day in Hyde Park, London.{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/09/absolutely-broken-krept-leads-tributes-cousin-rapper-cadet-dies-car-crash-8487070/|title='Absolutely broken': Krept leads tributes as cousin and rapper Cadet dies|last=Dosani|first=Rishma|date=9 February 2019|website=Metro|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210061430/https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/09/absolutely-broken-krept-leads-tributes-cousin-rapper-cadet-dies-car-crash-8487070/|archive-date=10 February 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BtqpkZ-H68q/|title=TALLY on Instagram: "You are all welcome. We are paying a tribute Tomorrow 3pm at Hyde Park. Much love ❤️"|website=Instagram|access-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226155604/https://www.instagram.com/p/BtqpkZ-H68q/|archive-date=26 February 2019|url-status=live}} Deno released a tribute for Cadet titled "First Days" on 13 February 2019.{{cite web|url=http://thelinkup.com/video/denodriz-unveils-heartfelt-cadet-tribute-first-days/|title=DENO UNVEILS HEARTFELT CADET TRIBUTE 'FIRST DAYS'|last=Morales|first=Lisa|date=13 February 2019|website=Linkup TV|access-date=19 February 2019}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Krept paid tribute to Cadet by releasing "Last Letter to Cadet" on 27 February 2019. The track also featured a verse from Konan.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/02/krept-last-letter-to-cadet|title=Krept honours the memory of Cadet in 'Last Letter to Cadet'|last=Oke|first=Tobe|date=28 February 2019|website=Complex|access-date=2 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190302095235/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/02/krept-last-letter-to-cadet|archive-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live}}

• The Rated Legend (2020)

• The Commitment (2016){{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cadet-mn0003126810/discography/all|title=Cadet – Album Discography|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209232522/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cadet-mn0003126810/discography/all|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}
• The Commitment 2 (2017)

• "Closure" (2018)
• "Advice" (with Deno) (2018) – UK No. 14{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/49138/cadet/|title=Cadet {{!}} full Official Chart history|publisher=Official Charts Company|accessdate=7 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511115815/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/49138/cadet/|archive-date=11 May 2019|url-status=live}}
• "Pumpy" (with Da Beatfreakz, AJ & Deno, Swarmz) (2018) – UK No. 70
• "Trendy" (featuring Ay Em and Tion Wayne) (2018)
• "Gang Gang" (2019) – UK No. 82
• "Support Me" (2020)

• "First Days" by Deno (2019)
• "Last Letter to Cadet" by Krept and Konan (2019)
• "Letter to Cadet" by Rapman (2019)
• "It'll Kill You" by Lady Leshurr (2019)
• "Tribute to Cadet" by Clue (2019)
• "Underrated Legend" (Cadet Tribute) by Big Tobz (2020)
• "Dear Cadet" (Legacy Continues){{Cite web|url=https://www.asbomagazine.com/home-featured/shocka-impac-over-numbers|title=Music and Mental Health: Why Shocka is choosing to focus on Impact OverNumbers|website=ASBO}}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} by Shocka (2020)

{{Reflist}}

• {{itunes|gb/artist/cadet/1146360853|Cadet}}
• {{AllMusic|id= mn0003126810}}
• {{IMDb name|id=8966449}}

{{Cadet}}

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Category:1990 births

Category:2019 deaths

Category:21st-century English musicians

Category:21st-century British male musicians

Category:Black British male rappers

Category:British male rappers

Category:Converts to Islam

Category:English Muslims

Category:People from Clapham

Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Lambeth

Category:Road incident deaths in England

Category:English people of Jamaican descent