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Calvin James Howard (October 4, 1978 – April 16, 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 being 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 the 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 Arz Nova in 2003[4] and rapper Slim DSM on 420 in 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][citation needed] 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 the Snowgoons track "Starlight" which garnered significant popularity, going viral and 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, another 2009 release by the Snowgoons.[9] Bud, Sex, and Beers, Vol. 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 (Remix EP),[11] which, as the title suggests, was a remix of many of Viro's most notable songs, including a remix of the song "Starlight".

Viro also produced a theme song called "Chris is Awesome" for Ring of Honor wrestler Chris Hero.

Disappearance and death

After releasing Bud, Sex, and Beers, Vol. 1 in 2009, little was heard from Viro the Virus, with internet rumor fueling 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 in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

Legacy

Since Viro's passing, members of the hip hop community have paid their respects to him through their music. Not long after his death, MC Burke the Jurke recorded No Antidote, a two-minute track dedicated to Viro. In 2013, the Snowgoons, who previously worked with Viro on a number of occasions, placed the track Rear Naked Choke on their album Snowgoons Dynasty, originally a track from the EP Virohazard.[12] Upon release of their latest album, Black Snow 2, they released the song Dizzy Dreams which is a remix of the song Dizzy Dreams that came out in 2003.[13] There has also been confirmation that in April 2014, long-time producer and friend of Viro, Caliph-NOW, will be releasing a remixed version of the classic album Arz Nova, with the help of numerous guest producers.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Future Trauma (2002)
  • Arz Nova: The Longest EP Ever (Viro the Virus & Caliph-NOW) (2003)
  • 420 (Viro the Virus & Slim DSM) (2004)
  • OutBreak (2005)
  • Jersey's Finest (2006)[14][citation needed]
  • The Sharpest Blade (2008)
  • Bud, Sex, and Beers, Vol. 1 (2009)[15]

Remix EPs

  • Virohazard (Remix EP) (2011)
  • Arz Nova: The Longest EP Ever Remixed (Viro the Virus & Caliph-NOW) (2014)
  • "Starlight" - Snowgoons Ft. Viro the Virus (2008)
  • "The Limit" - Snowgoons Ft. Viro the Virus (2009)
  • "All in Your Mind" - Snowgoons Ft. Viro the Virus (2009)
  • "Chris is Awesome" - Viro the Virus (2009)[16]
  • "Rear Naked Choke" - Snowgoons Ft. Viro the Virus (2012)
  • "Dizzy Dreams" - Snowgoons Ft. Viro the Virus (2013)

References

  1. ^ a b c "Obituary For:Calvin James Howard". wrwoodyfuneralhome.com. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Snowgoons ft Viro the Virus - Starlight (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube. 2010-12-23. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  3. ^ "Future Trauma | NOD RECORDS". Nodrecords.bandcamp.com. 2002-06-01. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  4. ^ "iTunes - Music - Arz Nova: (Viro the Virus & Caliph-NOW) by Viro the Virus". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-03-05. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  5. ^ "Viro The Virus - Outbreak CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2012-01-08. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  6. ^ "Viro the Virus | Jersey's Finest | CD Baby Music Store". Cdbaby.com. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  7. ^ "What's Up With - philadelphia weekly online". Pwblogger.com. 2007-02-14. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  8. ^ "Snowgoons - Trojan Horse CD Album". Cduniverse.com. 2012-01-08. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  9. ^ "Snowgoons w/ Savage Brothers & Lord Lhus - A Fist In The Thought - Audio CD - Underground Hip Hop - Store". Underground Hip Hop. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  10. ^ "Bud, Sex, and Beers, Vol. 1 - Viro the Virus : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. 2009-06-25. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  11. ^ "Virohazard | Snowgoons". Snowgoons.bandcamp.com. 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
  12. ^ http://snowgoons.bandcamp.com/album/virohazard
  13. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Arz-Nova-Viro-Virus-Caliph-Now/dp/B003DS4L8I
  14. ^ Viro the Virus Discography at Discogs
  15. ^ Viro the Virus Discography - Allmusic
  16. ^ RapReviews Artist Spotlight - Viro the Virus
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