Viro the virus

Calvin James Howard (October 4, 1978 - April 14, 2012),^[1] better known as Viro the Virus, was an underground hip hop artist based in New Jersey and Philadelphia. Despite only some commercial success, Viro became well known on the underground hip hop circuit, with his most notable appearance on the track "Starlight",^[2] from the Snowgoons album, Black Snow.

Career

In his lifetime, Viro the Virus released seven albums, five of which were solo efforts. His debut, Future Trauma, was released in 2002 under NODRECORDS. record label, and has since been made available on iTunes.^[3] It would be three years until his next solo album, during which time he collaborated with producer Caliph Now on the album Arznova (2003)^[4] and rapper Slim DSM on 420 (2004). It was in 2005 that Viro released the album Outbreak,^[5] spawning the popular track, Top Dog. Due to Viro's growing popularity in the later stages of his career, the album was re-released on iTunes in 2009. The entire album (save for the track "Primetime") was produced by Caliph Now.

2007 saw Jersey's Finest,^[6] Viro's third solo album. He described the album on the Philadelphia Weekly blogger as "my most upbeat album to date",^[7] a definite change from his previous, darker themes. The album also saw Viro collaborate with other well known underground rappers, such as Philly locals Reef the Lost Cauze and Side Effect. In 2008, Viro released his fourth album, The Sharpest Blade. It was around this time that Viro performed on on the Snowgoons track "Starlight", which garnered significant popularity, reaching over 300,000 views on YouTube. He would also appear on the tracks "The Limit" (from the 2009 Snowgoons album, The Trojan Horse^[8] and "All in Your Mind", from A Fist in the Thought, a 2009 release also by the Snowgoons.^[9] Bud, Sex and Beers Volume 1, released in 2009,^[10] would prove to be Viro's final album, before his death in April 2012. The title of this final album implies that further albums under the Bud, Sex and Beers moniker were planned. In 2011, the Snowgoons released Virohazard: Snowgoons Remix EP,^[11] which (as the title suggests) was a remix of many of Viro's most notable songs, including a remix of "Starlight".

Viro also produced the theme song for former Ring of Honor wrestler Chris Hero who now performs under the name Kassius Ohno for World Wrestling Entertainment. The song produced is called "Chris is Awesome"

Disappearance and death

After releasing Bud, Sex and Beers Volume One in 2009, little was heard from Viro the Virus, with internet rumour fuelling suspicions that he had been arrested. Others remarked that he had gone to Arizona for the last years of his life, a statement reinforced by the details of his obituary.^[1] As of July 2, 2012, there has yet to be an official statement explaining his recent disappearance or the circumstances surrounding his death.

It was on April 15, 2012 Viro affiliates Snowgoons tweeted out the announcement of Viro's death stating, "The Philly hiphop community lost one of the best to ever do it. R.I.P. VIRO THE VIRUS! What a tragedy!!!" On April 21, 2012, rapper Reef the Lost Cauze posted his condolences on Twitter. "Just sent our brother home. The pain in that room is something I will carry with me forever. God bless you V, we love you dog". As stated in his obituary,^[1] Viro's funeral took place on Saturday April 21, 2012, at the New Jerusalem House of God church, Mount Holly, New Jersey.

References