COVID-19 Continues to Hurt Hip-Hop

Every single day, more families around the world are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Globally, more than 2 million people have been diagnosed with the respiratory disease to date, nearly 200,000 lives have been lost. A health dilemma that knows no boundaries, various hip-hop artists have revealed they’ve contracted COVID-19 over recent weeks.

Fred The Godson may be the first rapper to actually succumb to the disease, however.

Instagram filled with posts Thursday (April 23rd) memorializing the 35-year-old emcee, who had been reportedly battling the virus since testing positive in early April. A representative of the Bronx (the same NYC borough accredited with creating hip-hop), Fred’s last Instagram post (April 6th) shows him hospitalized wearing an oxygen mask with the caption, “I’m in here wit this [COVID-19] shit! Please keep me in y’all prayers!!!! 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿 #godisgreat.”

Buffalo emcee Westside Gunn was one of several dozen artists who payed their respects to Fred on Instagram. One of two posts Gunn made showcases Fred and himself chilling in NYC, the other displays a screenshot of the two’s last text message exchange.

Judging from the latter picture, Fred had sent Gunn a text congratulating him and his comrades after they appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in January. The second exchange reveals Gunn sending encouraging words to Fred on April 6th after the late rapper announced he was battling COVID-19.

Courtesy of Westside Gunn’s IG:

Surprisingly, the text screenshot also revealed Gunn, out of the public eye, had experienced his own battle with COVID-19. Fortunately, he was able to overcome the disease, according to the text.

From Slim Thug to Scarface, different rappers have been vocal about testing positive for COVID-19, and many others have opened up about having friends and family members who have been diagnosed with the disease.

Hopefully, things will take a turn for the better globally with this issue sooner than later. Our prayers go out to Fred’s family as well as the scores of people worldwide who have been affected by this pandemic.

For updates, prevention methods and answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19, visit the CDC and WHO‘s websites.