Einár

{{Infobox person

| name = Einár

| honorific_suffix =

| image = Einár - Foto Pontus Esse Carmback (cropped).jpg

| alt =

| caption = Einár in 2020

| birth_name = Nils Erik Einar Grönberg

| birth_date = {{Birth date|2002|9|5|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Stockholm, Sweden

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|10|21|2002|09|05|df=y}}

| death_place = Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm

| death_cause =

| resting_place =

| other_names =

| occupation = Rapper

| years_active = 2018–2021

| spouse =

| partner =

| children =

| parents =

| module = {{Infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| genre = Hip hop, Gangsta rap

| instrument =

| label = NS1

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

Dree Low
K27
Sebastian Stakset
1.Cuz
Dani M
Adel
Greekazo
Aden x Asme
Jelassi
Macky
Hov1

}}

| website =

| signature =

}}

Nils Kurt Erik Einar Grönberg ({{IPA|sv|nɪls kʉrt eːrɪk ɛjnar|}}) (5 September 2002 – 21 October 2021),{{Cite web|url=https://www.hant.se/har-ar-allt-du-vill-vill-veta-om-rapparen-einar/|title=Här är allt du vill vill veta om rapparen Einár|date=16 August 2019|website=Hänt.se|language=sv-SE|access-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827185136/https://www.hant.se/har-ar-allt-du-vill-vill-veta-om-rapparen-einar/|archive-date=27 August 2019|url-status=live}} who was commonly known as Einár ({{IPA|sv|ɛjnar|}} or {{IPA|sv|ɛjnaːr|}}) was a Swedish rapper. He released four albums, two of which topped the Swedish album chart. In 2019, he won the Musikförläggarnas pris for Breakthrough of the Year and in 2020 he won two Grammis, Sweden's oldest pop music awards. Two of his singles peaked at number one on the Swedish singles chart and four have been certified platinum by the Swedish Recording Industry Association (SRIA). He is also featured on the number-one single "Gamora" by the group Hov1.

Einár was involved in several high-profile incidents, most notably his kidnap by rival rapper Yasin and a Vårby-based criminal gang in 2020. A week before he was scheduled to testify in a trial connected to his kidnapping, he was shot dead in what police described as an execution-style shooting.

Early life and career

Einár was born on 5 September 2002 to the actress Lena Nilsson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.femina.se/i-rampljuset/80-talsstjarnan-lena-nilsson-blev-mamma-till-sveriges-storsta-artist/7634975|title=80-talsstjärnan Lena Nilsson blev mamma till Sveriges största artist|first=Aino|last=Oxblod|date=14 June 2021|website=Femina|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022000458/https://www.femina.se/i-rampljuset/80-talsstjarnan-lena-nilsson-blev-mamma-till-sveriges-storsta-artist/7634975|url-status=live}} He grew up in Enskededalen.{{Cite news|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/lV9PyG|title=Nils "Einár" Grönberg är död – blev bara 19 år|work=Aftonbladet|date=21 October 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122194517/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/a/lV9PyG/einar--underbarnet-som-blev-en-av-sveriges-mest-spelade-artister|url-status=live}} At the age of 17, Einár was arrested under the Swedish equivalent of Chapter 403 in Title 18 (US) or Anti-social behaviour order (UK), {{langx|sv|Lag med särskilda bestämmelser om vård av unga (LVU)|label=none}}. He lived for several months in a locked child protection home.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.etc.se/kultur-noje/einar-gjorde-raketkarriar-fran-stokig-uppvaxt-till-topplistorna|title=Einár gjorde raketkarriär – från stökig uppväxt till topplistorna|first=Gustav|last=Gelin|date=22 October 2021|website=ETC|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022082353/https://www.etc.se/kultur-noje/einar-gjorde-raketkarriar-fran-stokig-uppvaxt-till-topplistorna|url-status=live}}

Einár's first solo single "Gucci / Duckar Popo" was streamed on Spotify over one million times.[http://www.kingsizemag.se/musik/se-musikvideon-till-einars-nya-singel-katten-i-trakten/ Musikvideon till Einars nya singel katten i trakten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153213/http://www.kingsizemag.se/musik/se-musikvideon-till-einars-nya-singel-katten-i-trakten/ |date=16 February 2019}} Kingsize magazine Retrieved 16 February 2019 His second single "Katten i trakten" peaked at number one on the Swedish Singles Chart in February 2019.[http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ Sverigetopplistan – Einár] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003131413/http://www.sverigetopplistan.se/ |date=3 October 2018}} Retrieved 16 February 2019 His follow-up single "Rör mig" entered the Sverigetopplistan chart at number three in its first week of release in May 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://dopest.se/einar-tillbaka-med-singeln-ror-mig/|title=Einar är tillbaka efter succén med nya singeln "Rör mig"|date=25 April 2019|website=Dopest|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022005355/https://dopest.se/einar-tillbaka-med-singeln-ror-mig/|url-status=live}} Einár released the studio albums Första klass, Nummer 1 and Welcome to Sweden;{{Cite news|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/lV9PyG|title=Nils "Einár" Grönberg är död – blev bara 19 år|newspaper=Aftonbladet|date=21 October 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026182920/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/a/lV9PyG/einar--underbarnet-som-blev-en-av-sveriges-mest-spelade-artister|url-status=live}} The first two albums were released in 2019 and the third on 15 May 2020. Welcome to Sweden debuted and peaked at number two on the Swedish Albums Chart.{{Cite web|url=https://dopest.se/einar-album-nummer-1/|title=Einár vill visa att han är störst med sitt andra album 'NUMMER 1'|date=5 September 2019|website=Dopest|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022005257/https://dopest.se/einar-album-nummer-1/|url-status=live}} Första klass and Nummer 1 peaked at number one.

Einár won the Musikförläggarnas pris in 2019 in the Breakthrough of the Year category.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/einar-och-robyn-bland-musikforlaggarnas-pris-2019-vinner-musikforlaggarnas-pris-2019/|title=Einár och Robyn får musikpris|date=8 November 2019|work=Dagens Nyheter|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022005718/https://www.dn.se/kultur-noje/einar-och-robyn-bland-musikforlaggarnas-pris-2019-vinner-musikforlaggarnas-pris-2019/|url-status=live}} At Sveriges Radio's {{ILL|P3 Guld|sv}} gala in 2020, which was broadcast on SVT, he won in the Song of the Year category for the song "Katten i trakten."{{Cite radio|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7387784|title=Här är alla vinnare|date=18 January 2020|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024184113/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/7387784|url-status=live}} At the 2020 Grammis awards, Einár won the awards for Newcomer of the Year and Hiphop of the Year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kingsizemag.se/noje/erik-lundin-och-einar-tog-hem-statyetter-pa-grammis-2020-se-alla-vinnare-har/|title=Erik Lundin och Einár vann på Grammis 2020|website=Kingsizemag.se | Svensk rap hiphop musik dans kläder artister tv|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024185629/https://www.kingsizemag.se/noje/erik-lundin-och-einar-tog-hem-statyetter-pa-grammis-2020-se-alla-vinnare-har/|url-status=live}}

Criminal activity

Einár was convicted for minor narcotics crime, assault and driving without a permit. In October 2021, he was arrested after a stabbing. He also socialised with known criminals.{{Cite news|last1=Nilsson|first1=Mimmi|date=2021-10-22|title=Hade kopplingar till kriminella gäng – och levde under hot|language=sv|work=SVT Nyheter|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/rapartisten-einars-liv-i-kriminalitet|access-date=2021-10-25|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024070842/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/rapartisten-einars-liv-i-kriminalitet|url-status=live}}

Kidnapping

In April 2020, Einár was kidnapped in a plot that was instigated by rival rapper Yasin and perpetrated by other members of the criminal gang called Vårbynätverket ("Vårby network").{{Cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/uppgifter-kand-svensk-artist-kidnappad-och-misshandlad|title=Uppgifter: Känd svensk artist kidnappad och misshandlad|first1=Diamant|last1=Salihu|first2=Dante|last2=Thomsen|date=6 May 2020|newspaper=SVT Nyheter|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022074843/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/uppgifter-kand-svensk-artist-kidnappad-och-misshandlad|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-rapper-shot-dead-stoking-outrage-over-gang-violence-2021-10-22/|title=Swedish rapper shot dead, stoking outrage over gang violence|date=22 October 2021|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022121800/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-rapper-shot-dead-stoking-outrage-over-gang-violence-2021-10-22/|url-status=live}} He was held at gunpoint for several hours and his kidnappers took photographs of him and posted them on social media.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57839517|title=Swedish rapper Yasin jailed over plot to kidnap rival artist|date=14 July 2021|access-date=22 October 2021|work=BBC News|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022074843/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57839517|url-status=live}} They also stole a Rolex watch worth {{SEK|302,000|link=yes}} (US$35,100) and two gold chains worth a total of {{SEK|163,000}} (US$19,000).{{Cite web|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/z76q1w|title=Einár levde under hot – hade skyddad identitet|newspaper=Aftonbladet|date=22 October 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026182832/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/z76q1w/einar-levde-under-hot--hade-skyddad-identitet|url-status=live}} Yasin was later sentenced to ten months in prison for the kidnapping.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelocal.se/20210714/swedish-rapper-yasin-jailed-over-involvement-in-kidnapping-of-rival-artist/|title=Swedish rapper Yasin jailed over conspiracy to kidnap rival artist|date=14 July 2021|access-date=22 October 2021|via=The Local|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022074844/https://www.thelocal.se/20210714/swedish-rapper-yasin-jailed-over-involvement-in-kidnapping-of-rival-artist/|url-status=live}} Another rapper, Haval Khalil—known as Haval)—was sentenced to {{frac|2|1|2}} years for complicity in the kidnapping and robbery. The crime and subsequent trials of the perpetrators received international attention.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/14/swedish-rappers-jailed-on-kidnapping-charges-in-major-organised-crime-trial|title=Swedish rappers jailed for kidnapping in major organised crime trial|first=Matthew|last=Holroyd|date=14 July 2021|website=Euronews|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=31 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831100443/https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/14/swedish-rappers-jailed-on-kidnapping-charges-in-major-organised-crime-trial|url-status=live}} Einár was living under death threats after his kidnapping and was using a protected identity.{{Cite web|title=Rapparen Einár ihjälskjuten i natt|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/svenske-rapparen-einar-ihjalskjuten-i-natt/|newspaper=Expressen|date=21 October 2021 |access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021235746/https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/svenske-rapparen-einar-ihjalskjuten-i-natt/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Kelly|first=Emma|date=22 October 2021|title=Swedish rapper Einar shot dead aged 19|url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/22/einar-dead-swedish-rapper-shot-dead-in-stockholm-15468816/|agency=Reuters|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022103707/https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/22/einar-dead-swedish-rapper-shot-dead-in-stockholm-15468816/|url-status=live}}

Death and subsequent events

{{Infobox event

| title = Murder of Einár

| time = 22:50

| timezone = CEST

| date = {{start date|2021|10|21}}{{Cite web |title=Rapparen Einár, 19, skjuten till döds |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/story/mordet-pa-rapparen-einar-19 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.aftonbladet.se |language=sv}}

| location = Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm, Sweden

| coordinates =

| type = Shooting (execution)

| motive = Suspected gang-related retaliation

| participants = Two suspected gunmen

| burial = Katarina kyrkogård, Stockholm, 19 November 2021

| arrests = None

| notes = Einár was scheduled to testify in a trial related to his 2020 kidnapping the week after his murder.

}}

Einár was shot dead on the evening of 21 October 2021 in Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm.{{Cite web|url=https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/svenske-rapparen-einar-ihjalskjuten-i-natt/|title=Svenske rapparen Einár ihjälskjuten|work=Expressen|date=21 October 2021 |access-date=21 October 2021|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026182830/https://www.expressen.se/nyheter/krim/svenske-rapparen-einar-ihjalskjuten-i-natt/|url-status=live}}[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-22/swedish-teenage-rapper-killed-in-latest-stockholm-shooting Swedish Teenage Rapper Einar Killed in Stockholm Shooting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022121522/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-22/swedish-teenage-rapper-killed-in-latest-stockholm-shooting |date=22 October 2021 }} Bloomberg. Retrieved 22 October 2021. Police described his killing as an execution because he was shot from a distance of {{convert|1.5|m|ft}}.{{Cite web|title=Swedish rapper Einár, 19, shot to death|date=22 October 2021 |url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/eEqVxl|publisher=Aftonbladet|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=26 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026182832/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/a/eEqVxl/swedish-rapper-einar-19-shot-to-death|url-status=live}} The shooting was part of a trend of rising gun violence in Sweden that began in the 2010s.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-22|title=Swedish rapper Einar shot dead in suspected gang-related attack|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/22/swedish-rapper-einar-shot-dead-in-suspected-gang-related-attack|access-date=2021-10-25|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=24 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024090458/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/22/swedish-rapper-einar-shot-dead-in-suspected-gang-related-attack|url-status=live|quote=One of Sweden’s most popular rappers has been shot and killed in Stockholm, further fuelling public anger over a deadly wave of gang-related violence that has hit the country in recent years.}}

Einár had been scheduled to testify against Vårbynätverket crime gang and Yasin in the Svea Court of Appeal the week after his killing. He had previously refused to testify and was very public about the fact that he would not participate. The Swedish Police launched a murder investigation, but no arrests have been made.{{Cite news|url=https://www.svd.se/uppgifter-artist-skjuten-till-dods-i-stockholm|title=Rapparen Einár skjuten till döds i Stockholm|date=22 October 2021|newspaper=Svenska Dagbladet|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022112650/https://www.svd.se/uppgifter-artist-skjuten-till-dods-i-stockholm|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/nya-uppgifter-einar-skulle-vittna-mot-varbynatverket|title=Nya uppgifter: Einár skulle vittna mot Vårbynätverket|first1=Simon|last1=Andrén|first2=Mariela|last2=Quintana|date=22 October 2021|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022083343/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/nya-uppgifter-einar-skulle-vittna-mot-varbynatverket|url-status=live}}

On the morning after his death, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven and Minister for Culture Amanda Lind sent their condolences to Einár's family and fans.{{Cite news|url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/lofven-om-dodsskjutningen|title=Löfven: "Han har betytt mycket för många unga människor"|first1=Adelina|last1=Storkaas|date=22 October 2021|newspaper=SVT Nyheter|access-date=22 October 2021|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022084404/https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/lofven-om-dodsskjutningen|url-status=live}}

Funeral

Einar's funeral took place on 19 November 2021, at the Katarina kyrka in Stockholm. He was buried in Katarina kyrkogård, the cemetery on the Church's grounds.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.aftonbladet.se/a/z79WqK|title=I dag begravdes Nils Einár Grönberg|journal=Aftonbladet|date=19 November 2021 |accessdate=11 March 2022|archive-date=11 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311185250/https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/z79WqK/i-dag-begravdes-nils-einar-gronberg|url-status=live}}