Scarface Is Sick & He’s Asking Hip-Hop For Help
Rapper Scarface has had a challenging 2020. He is a Hip-Hop legend who was infected by the COVID-19 virus back in late March. In the weeks that followed, the Houston, Texas-based icon’s fight was so strong that it led to pneumonia in both of his lungs, kidney failure, a 103-degree failure, and time spent on dialysis. Brad Jordan, who has written many songs about death, told former Geto Boys band-mate Willie D, “I been to the point where I felt like I was going to die,” during a live Instagram chat.
The battle happened at a challenging time for Face. Over one year ago, his longtime band-mate Bushwick Bill died from stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Later in 2019, Scarface lost a hometown election in a second runoff; the former Rap-A-Lot Records star ran for Councilman. Despite a publicized weight loss, penning a memoir, and acts of charity in the community, the avid golfer and guitarist faces a serious challenge with his health. This month, Scarface confirmed that he needs a kidney transplant. Using Twitter, Face tried to source the organ through his fan-base in a series of tweets that also stressed some political importance during election season.
I need a kidney y’all any volunteers? B+ blood type
— SCARFACE (@BrotherMob) October 7, 2020
You did it too Pence and word on the streets is you is a bigot @mikepence and you @donaldjtrump you’re dad was in the klan we can’t have that in America you have failed us miserably I caught the Covid it’s not a hoax and I wasn’t up in 3 days ????????????
— SCARFACE (@BrotherMob) October 8, 2020
A pre existing health condition clause would fuck me and a whole lot of Americans up so naaaaa I’m not gon do that to myself
— SCARFACE (@BrotherMob) October 8, 2020
I’ve started the process to get a kidney transplant, I appreciate the love! it should take me 2-3 months to see if I’m a good candidate, in the meantime you stay healthy, the list will open shortly there after and we can discuss who’s a match.. again I appreciate that y’all..
— SCARFACE (@BrotherMob) October 9, 2020
Just found out blood type don’t matter if you are a donor they will match me with my kidney in exchange so anyone can be a donor, can’t thank y’all enough ????????
— SCARFACE (@BrotherMob) October 9, 2020
Last Of A Dying Breed: Why Scarface Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)
While the process is underway, time will tell if Brad Jordan has his donor. Rap peers have been helping, including T.I. The Atlanta, Georgia mogul offered to compensate a donor for the MC who reportedly co-signed when Tip boldly proclaimed himself “The King Of The South.” The mid-2000s proclamation ruffled feathers, most notably with another H-Town rapper, Lil Flip.
Following 2017’s Deeply Rooted: The Lost Files, Scarface has said that he is using his government name and focusing on things besides music. In 2020 he did appear alongside former label-mate Z-Ro on Slim Thug’s “Both Eyes Open.”
In this week’s episode of Ambrosia For Heads‘ What’s The Headline podcast (available in video and audio, below), we discuss Scarface’s importance and the significance of his health battle—especially as A Tribe Called Quest’s Phife Dawg and the Soulquarians’ Roy Hargrove passed from kidney complications and another artist, Freeway, successfully underwent a kidney transplant. On the podcast, we also weigh in on “King Of The South,” and why all of these years later, Scarface and T.I. both belong in the contextualized conversation, along with some MCs who may be overlooked. This week’s discussion also discusses new music by REASON, a Kendrick Lamar rumor gone wild, and the unsung group members in Hip-Hop.
Scarface’s Love For Guitar Playing Runs Deep. He Explains While Jamming (Video)
Here Is What Else Is Happening Of Note:
Megan Thee Stallion pens a New York Times editorial titled “Why I Speak Up For Black Women.” (New York Times)
J. Cole and Dreamville have launched a multi-faceted content studio, to be run by former Complex Editor-in-Chief Damien Scott. (Variety)
21 Savage & Metro Boomin’s SAVAGE MODE II tops the charts. This marks 21’s second consecutive #1, and his first following a high-profile legal battle with ICE. The Slaughter Boomin/Epic Records drop is one of seven #1 Rap albums in 2020, a list that also includes Eminem, Juice Wrld, Jack Boys & Travis Scott, and Lil Uzi Vert, among others. (Complex)
Busta Rhymes announces that Extinction Level Event 2 will release on October 30. It marks Busta’s first album since 2009’s Year Of The Dragon. Dr. Dre was previously said to be overseeing this LP. (Instagram)
Black Thought will release Streams Of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane & Abel on October 16. Produced by Sean C., the album is slated to feature Killer Mike, Pusha-T, ScHoolboy Q, Swizz Beatz, and others. The lead single “Good Morning” is included on AFH‘s playlist, below. The project was initially planned for July 10. Two previous volumes were released in 2018, produced by 9th Wonder and Salaam Remi, respectively. (Instagram)
#BonusBeat: Ambrosia For Heads’ official playlist, featuring new music by REASON, Action Bronson, Smoke DZA, Problem, Conway The Machine, and Vic Mensa, among other new songs: