RIP Prodigy!

Today is sad day for hip-hop. Legendary rapper, Prodigy, of the hip-hop group Mobb Deep has passed away.

Prodigy’s publicist says that Prodigy was performing in Las Vegas when he was hospitalized a few days ago after the performance for complications with sickle cell anemia.

There was no cause of death determined as of yet.

He was 42 years young.

As a 80s baby and growing up as 90s kid, Mobb Deep has always been a mainstay in hip-hop. I have always thought Mobb Deep was one of top hip-hop pioneers coming out of New York, Queensbridge to be exact. But I found a deeper connection with Prodigy when I found out he had sickle cell anemia.

In my first blog post, I talk about my first long-term stay in the hospital and how the doctor believed I initially had sickle cell. I told the doctor that was probably not possible since sickle cell is inherited and passed down through genes from a parent. But symptoms are similar, and just myself, Prodigy was suffering from an auto-immune like disease.

Sickle cell is a red blood cell disorder. Cells in tissues need a steady supply of oxygen to work well. Normally, hemoglobin in red blood cells takes up oxygen in the lungs and carries it to all the tissues of the body. The lack of tissue oxygen can cause attacks of sudden, severe pain, called pain crises.. Over time, sickle cell can affect major organs just like Lupus.

Each year, 2000 babies are born in the United States with sickle cell disease.  This disease of the blood affects between 50-75,000 people in the U.S. and millions throughout the world.

Approximately two million Americans carry the sickle cell trait, which increases the chance that the disorder is passed on to their children.

I have always loved the way Prodigy advocated for sickle cell anemia awareness and being health conscious to maintain his disease. The form he had was SS, which he describes as the worst form. Prodigy always had a positive outlook despite his illness.

Rest in power, Prodigy.

Photo Credit : Billboard