Kicking off Hip Hop History Month, the award-winning non-profit Hip Hop Public Health (HHPH) held its annual Remixing Public Health Gala November 1 at Capitale in downtown Manhattan. Before a diverse crowd of supporters including Ja Rule, Styles P, and BET CEO Scott Mills, the evening featured a mesmerizing hip-hop medley performance with Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Chuck D, Ashanti, and co-founder Doug E. Fresh, who also hosted the gathering with journalist and media personality Janell Snowden. In addition to raising critical funding for its important donor-driven cause, the event honored several corporate and creative champions of health and wellness, notably Radio Hall of Fame Inductee and syndicated host Angela Yee for her efforts to provide healthier dining options in urban “food deserts” through her ownership and operation of Brooklyn eateries like Juices for Life BK.
Doug E. Fresh and Dr. Olajide Williams, Professor of Neurology and Vice Dean of Community Health at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, co-founded Hip Hop Public Health to teach health literacy in order to improve health equity and remedy disparities in historically underserved communities. Together, they work tirelessly to amplify the medical fact that music can help heal the mind and body.
Since its formation in 2006, HHPH has provided research-based, hip-hop infused learning resources nationally to grades K-12 and worked with Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, and other non-profits to create culturally-inclusive health campaigns. The organization has taken important health information and put it into songs recorded by popular multi-generational artists, making it easily digestible and universally accessible. Essentially, HHPH uses music for health education, and its resources have proven to save lives.
Among its many notable achievements, HHPH received the Cannes Lions UN Health Grand Prix for Good Award in 2022 for its “Lil Sugar” campaign (voiced by HHPH Artist Advisory Board Member Darryl “DMC” McDaniels), which warned of the potentially harmful effects of sugar. Additionally, former First Lady Michelle Obama hand-picked HHPH to produce the soundtrack for her “Let’s Move” campaign, aimed at reducing childhood obesity.
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, HHPH CEO Lori Rose Benson took the stage to announce HHPH’s new Health MCs Ambassador Program, which seeks to provide 100,000 educators over five years with the tools to bring fun and effective health education to young people in a range of learning environments – in-school, out-of-school, community settings, summer camps and more. HHPH supports Health MCs with free, easy-to-use, adaptable resources that engage and inspire young people to be changemakers in their communities.
A group of renowned hip-hop artists, including Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, French Montana, and Chuck D, have joined forces with the national nonprofit organization Power to the Patients. This collaboration, led by filmmaker Kevin Morra, aims to advocate for transparency in the American healthcare system.
Power to the Patients, co-founded by Kevin Morra, entrepreneur Cynthia Fisher, and filmmaker Paul J. Morra, has been dedicated to achieving systemwide price transparency in healthcare. Their mission supports legislative efforts at all levels of government, holds healthcare institutions and insurers accountable for complying with federal transparency rules, and educates Americans about their right to know actual healthcare prices.
The current federal transparency rules are often disregarded by hospitals and insurers without facing the consequences, raising concerns about the effectiveness of these regulations in ensuring transparency in healthcare pricing.
In the newly released PSA, the hip-hop legends urge elected officials to commit to a healthcare system characterized by transparency, echoing Kevin Morra’s commitment to driving change.
In conversation with The Source, Morra details how the PSA campaign came together, the goal of the PSA, and more.
THE SOURCE: Can you tell us more about the recent PSA campaign where Power To The Patients collaborated with hip-hop legends like Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and others? What was the inspiration behind this collaboration?
Kevin Morra: As Hip Hop turned 50, some of the culture’s most legendary icons joined Power to the Patients to fight for price transparency in healthcare, which is an absolutely critical issue for every single person and community across the country. Their support for this issue brings so much gravitas. Hospitals and Insurance companies have egregiously rigged our healthcare system for their enormous profits at the expense of our paychecks and financial stability, putting at risk both our health and our lives. Because we are dealing with people’s well-being, this is not just an economic issue, it’s also a humanitarian one. The combined effort from Fat Joe, Method Man, Chuck D, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross and French Montana to step up and lend their voices, their platform, and their passion against this healthcare injustice only proves the maturity, responsibility, and the continued resistance so engrained into the fabric of Hip Hop culture. As discussed with Chuck D on-set, the early roots of our activism, including the very spark for Power to the Patients, is prominently bred from rebellious art and culture, protest music, and key influences like Public Enemy. To challenge an enormous system like healthcare, we do need powerful inspiration and so it’s very apropos to have these types of legendary voices joining a movement of this nature. This series of Hip Hop PSAs fighting for healthcare price transparency showcases the commitment Hip Hop maintains and possesses for meaningful political, social, and economic improvements. This entire movement is for the people.
Kevin Morra and Fat Joe with Hakeem Jeffries
How did you manage to get all these hip-hop icons together?
My brother Paul and I are filmmakers and Fat Joe and Terror Squad member Raul have been friends of ours for over twenty years now, originally meeting through a television show we Produced for MTV. The Terror Squad has always been the real deal and always willing to stand on principle and fight the good fight. So, when we shared with them the mission for “Power to the Patients,” they immediately jumped on board and, together, we filmed a very poignant PSA (Public Service Announcement) on a rooftop in the South Bronx, which is an area especially devastated by out of control healthcare costs and overcharges at hospitals. In fact, the Bronx is one of the many communities where people often refuse to enter a hospital, no matter what, out of a justified fear that the resulting hospital bill could destroy the financial security for themselves and their family. It’s all so tragic. We love our nurses and we need our doctors, but the big business of American healthcare is a totally corrupt and unconscionable system rigged by the venture capitalists and healthcare profiteers who run our hospitals and insurance companies and hide their prices in order to create historic corporate profits. As a result of this greed, they are quite literally destroying people’s lives.
In April of this year, Busta Rhymes, French Montana, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe joined us for a performance at what became one of the most incredible live musical performance events Washington, D.C. has ever seen. This Power to the Patients event kicked off the beginning of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner week and our audience was largely made up of Members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers as well as leaders and staff from the White House. It was a truly remarkable night to behold and each artist passionately advocated for the transparency effort in between performing hit after hit after hit. We have since been blessed to add Chuck D and Method Man to this advocacy mix and each are featured through this current PSA series. Suffice to say, the Power to the Patients movement is growing!
Could you explain the specific issues related to healthcare transparency that the campaign addresses, such as hospitals and insurance companies providing “estimates” rather than “actual prices”? How does this affect patients and the healthcare industry? <combined> Power To The Patients has been advocating for healthcare transparency for some time now. Could you share some of the challenges you’ve faced in this journey and the progress you’ve made so far?
The American healthcare system is not just broken, but it’s intentionally rigged for tremendous profits at the heavy cost and potential devastation of every single person who relies on its services and procedures, which is all of us. Hospitals and Insurance companies have been getting away with hiding their prices so they can prevent consumerism, stifle competition, and completely deflect all accountability for their overcharges and inconsistent billing. We founded Power to the Patients, a non-profit, non-commercial advocacy group, to fight this corporate greed and corruption in order to create a more equitable, accessible, and affordable healthcare system, which will benefit everyone across the nation. In order to achieve this, healthcare price transparency is mandatory across the entire industry. Basically, for healthcare to work fairly in America, hospitals and insurance companies must show us their prices. Without seeing prices up front, hospitals and insurers will continue to charge us whatever they want and there will never be a competitive market to keep prices affordable, honest, or equitable. As Fat Joe has stated, “They’re robbing us.” When you dissect the egregious behavior of hospitals and insurers, including the non-profit and tax-exempt ones, you easily recognize just how deliberately they have created a profit model totally void of decency, responsibility, and ethics for their patients and their communities. It’s impossible to not understand the severity and urgency for price transparency when you realize that medical debt is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in this country and you hear the countless stories, like we do, from patient after patient fighting for their lives while being issued liens on their homes from hospitals, or the real life impact that rising healthcare costs has on reducing take home pay, the continuous increase of union fees, or people’s outright refusal to seek medical care in the first place. Healthcare in this country is quite literally stomping out the American dream. Demanding prices in healthcare is an effort we all should insist upon because it’s absolutely essential that citizens are provided fair, equitable, and affordable healthcare. Without access and affordability, people suffer immensely, both financially and from deferring necessary procedures associated with health disorders, injuries, and preventative check-ups. Even for those that advocate for Universal healthcare, without price transparency first, healthcare costs will continue to be out of control, irrespective of whether it’s paid by individuals, by employers, or by the government.
When hospitals avoid transparency, they perpetuate a rigged system that eliminates consumerism and competition for patients and their families and stifles fair planning and negotiations for unions, employers and even local, state and federal governments. We need transparency so that we all have the opportunity to compare the prices of services and procedures in order to make logical decisions on where we seek our care. Essentially, we are fighting for decency and basic economic principles for healthcare in America. It, of course, should be totally illegal for hospitals and insurance companies to hide their prices or obfuscate actual prices by using gimmicky terms like “estimates,” or “average prices,” or “percentages of prices.” Those are just meaningless terms to substitute for providing actual prices.
Your efforts in New York City led to the signing of the Healthcare Accountability and Consumer Protection Act. Can you tell us more about the impact of this act and how it serves as a model for other cities or states to improve healthcare transparency?
In June of this year, with Fat Joe in attendance, New York City Mayor Adams, alongside City Council Members, labor union representatives and activists from Power to the Patients, signed into law a hospital price transparency bill, which will require all New York City hospitals to post all of their prices so that people, patients, employers, unions, and even the government itself can finally see and understand hospital prices upfront. This is an incredible development that will absolutely protect New Yorkers from overcharges and price gouging and it will create, for the first time ever, a free market economy like every other industry, where people will be able to decide which hospitals they enter based on prices of services and procedures. The result of this will be lower medical bills, more trust and accountability in the New York healthcare system, and more equitable care across every borough and neighborhood in the city. It’s an enormously positive development and a model we are pushing to replicate in other major metropolitan areas and states across the country. Of course, the most effective development will be to codify consumer protections and price transparency laws in healthcare at the federal level, so we can protect everyone, all at once. And we will accomplish this!
The joint advocacy by Power To The Patients and the hip-hop icons comes after several meetings with lawmakers and visits to The White House. What has been the response from policymakers and elected officials regarding your efforts and concerns about the healthcare system?
Meeting with dozens of Congressional Members at the U.S. Capitol and various leaders at the White House, all the way up to Vice President Harris, has been an unbelievable experience and we have been largely encouraged with the response. Without a doubt, the politicians also enjoyed meeting with such a dynamic personality as Fat Joe and hearing his genuine enthusiasm for price transparency warmed many-a-room. It’s quite clear that there is a groundswell of support for this issue, but the reality is, we are fighting the American healthcare cartel, which currently generates over $4 trillion annually and is very slick at buying the support of many of our elected officials to maintain the existing crooked system. That part is deeply concerning because we have put these officials in place to represent us, and yet, many are so easily compromised. Despite this, we are indeed winning this battle. When Power to the Patients first began in early 2021, only 4% of hospitals in this country complied with the current federal price transparency rules. Today, roughly two years later, thanks to the relentless work by a number of advocacy groups, spirited activists, uncompromised elected officials and an army of concerned citizens including our Hip Hop participants, we are now at 36% of U.S. hospitals complying with the current federal transparency rule. In other words, 36% of hospitals are now posting their prices (data published by Patient Rights Advocate semi-annual report). While we certainly still have a long way to go, that percentage will continue to grow and we won’t stop until we have real price transparency for a more equitable, accessible and affordable healthcare system across the country.
Kodak Black has remained a large name in the hip-hop world for almost a decade at this point. Overall, he was able to burst onto the scene in 2016. From there, he has stayed at the top thanks to consistent releases and a dedicated fanbase. However, he has also gone through his fair share of trials and tribulations. Most recently, fans shared their concerns after seeing the rapper on Drink Champs. He appeared to be a bit chaotic in his delivery, and he was also a lot skinnier than we normally see him.
Following this appearance, Wack 100 and Kodak himself went out of their way to reveal he was doing just fine. They believe people saw one clip, took it out of context, and then immediately tried to play the whole thing up. In a recent Instagram Live, Kodak addressed his fans directly and even got to talk with Tiffany Haddish. More recently, he went on Instagram Live and decided to show fans his fitness journey. As you can see in the video below, he was doing some burpees.
Overall, getting up and working out can be extremely hard to do. Furthermore, it is even harder to do it on a consistent basis. However, it seems like Kodak is determined to keep going. You have to be in a good mental state to get the motivation to do a workout, and it seems like Kodak has that right now. Hopefully, this is a good sign of things to come from the rapper. He seems to be thinning out, but perhaps a bulk and a subsequent cut is on the horizon.
Be sure to let us know what you think of Kodak Black and his workout plan, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will always be sure to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists.
Kodak Black has spoken out in an attempt to calm fans’ nerves after many expressed concerns over his health following his recent Drink Champs appearance. During the interview, fans found Kodak’s behavior confusing and much of what he said difficult to understand.
“Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see too because looks could be deceiving,” Kodak said on Instagram Live. Despite the remarks, fans still aren’t buying it. When The Shade Room shared the clip on Instagram, one user commented: “I know a junkie when I see one. You are one. That’s that.” Another wrote: “He is an addict who is surrounded by enablers. The only thing that you shouldn’t believe, are the words coming out of his mouth. He is a clear addict in denial, and no one can save him but himself.”
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: Kodak Black performs during Rolling Loud at NOS Events Center on December 11, 2021 in San Bernardino, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/WireImage)
Among those to speak out in concern for Kodak was Ray J. Kodak wasn’t happy with the inquiry, threatening the singer in response on Instagram Live. “Ray J your little ass is a b***h, homie” Kodak said, as caught by XXL. “I don’t need your help, p***y-ass n***a. I’m straight. F**k wrong with you, homie. Beat your little ass. You had nothing to do with that Trump s***t. They be hating that p***y-ass n***a. You just want to go viral. You want to go viral on the street. Talking about you took me to Trump house. Who the f**k you is? Trump got me out of prison, homie. You think I need you to take me to Trump’s [house]?” Check out Kodak’s latest comments below.
During the Drink Champs interview, Kodak discussed his support for Donald Trump, performed a freestyle, and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on Kodak’s health on HotNewHipHop.
Kodak Black fired back at Ray J on Instagram Live, Sunday, after the singer expressed concern over Kodak’s recent interview on Drink Champs. Ray J was one of many worried viewers who criticized N.O.R.E. for publishing the interview, in which much of Kodak’s behavior is confusing. In particular, Kodak was upset Ray J brought up Donald Trump.
“Ray J your little ass is a b***h, homie” Kodak said, as caught by XXL. “I don’t need your help, p***y-ass n***a. I’m straight. F**k wrong with you, homie. Beat your little ass. You had nothing to do with that Trump s***t. They be hating that p***y-ass n***a. You just want to go viral. You want to go viral on the street. Talking about you took me to Trump house. Who the f**k you is? Trump got me out of prison, homie. You think I need you to take me to Trump’s [house]?”
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 16: Kodak Black performs during Broccoli City Festival Day 2 on July 16, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
Ray J had shared his concern in a comment on Instagram. “Yo somebody need to grab bro and make sure he good,” Ray J said. “This ain’t the interview Nore. We gotta help this dude. I took him to Trump house and he did the most. They were not happy with the experience bc he had no guidance and respect. Yo @wack100 let’s figure out how we can help this guy instead of watching him self destruct.” Check out Kodak’s response to Ray J on his Instagram Live below.
Elsewhere in Kodak Black’s Drink Champs interview, he discussed his support for Donald Trump, meeting Rick Ross and Kanye West, and more. Be on the lookout for further updates on Kodak Black on HotNewHipHop.
Being a celebrity definitely has its perks, but it also has its downsides too. From grueling tour schedules to online cyber bullying, celebrities are not immune to mental health struggles. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Day in October, we have compiled some of the best advice for promoting positive mental health from some of the industry’s biggest names.
Beyoncé: Took a break and came back better than ever
Beyoncé has been working full-time since she was a teenager, so it’s no surprise that she became so overwhelmed with a grueling schedule that she needed a little break. In an interview, she recalls how in January 2010, “it was beginning to get fuzzy — I couldn’t even tell which day or which city I was at. I would sit there at ceremonies and they would give me an award and I was just thinking about the next performance.” She stated that her mother was very persistent in telling her that she had to take care of her mental health. She took a year off of making music and spent the time traveling and relaxing and came back fresh and renewed a year later to make a series of chart-topping albums. While taking an entire year off of work probably isn’t an option for most people, taking a break is one of the best things a person can do for their mental health.
Joyner Lucas: Used music as his creative outlet to manage struggles with an ADHD diagnosis
Joyner Lucas has long been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and has also used his ADHD diagnosis as what he describes as “a reverse uno card.” In an interview with Billboard, he stated that he embraced his own attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a tool to unlock creativity, so much so he named his 2020 debut album after it. To date, the album has sold over half a million copies and is RIAA-certified gold. The artist has publicly acknowledged that while ADHD has presented him and others with certain challenges, a mental health condition does not need to limit one’s opportunities in life.
Miley Cyrus: Speaks out about removing the stigma of receiving professional help
Miley Cyrus has also been an advocate from mental health and emphasizes the importance of therapy, stating that “every person can benefit from talking to somebody.” The “Flowers” singer also publicly acknowledged that she has taken medicine to treat her depression and wants other people to know that there is no shame in receiving professional medical help for their mental health.
Nicki Minaj: Ensures fans they are not alone
Many people who are struggling with mental health often feel isolated and alone, which only furthers their pain in many cases. Nicki Minaj uses her platform to let others suffering from mental health issues know that they are not alone. Minaj, who has spoken out in the past about how she was so low at one point in her life that she contemplated suicide, took time to mention the importance of mental health at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards while accepting the Video Vanguard award. She stated: “I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through. I wish people took mental health seriously, even for the people who you think have perfect lives.” To many, it probably does seem like Minaj has the perfect life. However, she makes a good point that what is shown to the public and on social media is often not a reflection of people’s realities- something everyone can keep in mind before scrolling Instagram and comparing their lives to others.
Big Sean: Keeps it real
Big Sean has often spoken publicly about his own long-held depression and anxiety publicly, explaining that he wanted to “keep it real” because he “was tired of not keeping it real,” he said in an interview in 2021. “I was tired of pretending I was a machine and everything was cool and being politically correct or whatever. I just was like, I’m a just say how I feel.” He hopes that his advice will transcend to fans and their own lives, stating that “whatever they can apply to their life and better themselves and maybe it just even starts a whole journey in a different direction as far as upgrading and taking care of themselves and bossing up themselves.” In a separate interview, he stated how I’m the past he rarely took time to take care of himself and noted that nurturing himself is now a high priority for him- as it should be for everyone.
Doja Cat: Owned her ADHD diagnosis
Like Joyner Lucas, Doja Cat has also talked about how she struggles with ADHD and in an interview, stating that she felt like she “was stuck in one spot and everybody else was progressing constantly.” The “Paint the Town Red” singer learned to channel her creativity into her music and now has progressed to one of the top-selling female artists of her generation. Her advice reminds people that no one progresses in the exact same way and it’s important to not compare your own journey to the journey of others.
Michelle Williams: Stresses the importance of faith, family and friends
Michelle Williams took time from songwriting to write her own memoir about her struggles, “Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life — and Can Save Yours.” In the book, she opens up about her years-long struggle with depression and details how she had suicidal thoughts. She concludes with the importance of prioritizing one’s mental health as well as describes the important role that faith, family and friends play in each other’s mental health journeys.
Jennifer Lopez: Emphasizes self-care, health, and rest
After experiencing an stress-induced panic attack in her late 20s brought on by too much work and not enough sleep, Jennifer Lopez describes how she learn to prioritize her mental health and self-care. She has also stated the importance of exercising, eating healthy, and getting adequate rest, which is great advice if whether you’re performing at the Super Bowl halftime show or working a desk job.
Billie Eilish: Removing stigma and embracing your own uniqueness
Billie Eilish has been under public scrutiny before she was even old enough to drive. In an interview with Vogue, she describes how she struggles with Tourette’s syndrome as well as how she has experienced body dysmorphia in the past, stating how she used to compare herself to models and felt that she was never skinny or pretty enough. Despite her struggles, Eilish broke into the industry and skyrocketed to the top with her own unique sound and look- both of which are constantly evolving. She hopes that Gen Z will be more open to talking about mental health and removing the stigma associated with it. She’s also a living example of how a person’s uniqueness can be the best thing about them.
Kendrick Lamar: Learning to accept change and live with grief
Kendrick Lamar has often spoken openly in the past about his struggles with mental health, survivor’s guilt, and grief. The artist, who is well-known for mastering the art of lyric-writing, has used his talent to discuss his mental health struggles with lyrics such as “money can’t stop a suicidal weakness” and “depression is restin’ on your heart,” amongst others. He states that going through change can be exceptionally difficult for anyone and that “accepting change — that’s the hardest thing for man, accepting change.” Studies show that men are far less likely to seek out treatment for their mental health than women, so hopefully male artists like Lamar can show other men that there is no shame in struggling with mental health.
Kid Cudi: Got clean from drugs, focused on mental health
Kid Cudi has shared how he battled with depression and even had suicidal thoughts. In 2016, he shared that he abused drugs as a way of coping with his depression. In 2016, he checked himself into a treatment center for depression and “suicidal urges.” Kid Cudi is a prime example of showing the importance of how getting professional treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues can have a tremendous impact on a person’s life. Following his rehab stay, he came back to continue to make even more chart-topping music.
Being a celebrity definitely has its perks, but it also has its downsides too. From grueling tour schedules to online cyber bullying, celebrities are not immune to mental health struggles. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Day in October, we have compiled some of the best advice for promoting positive mental health from some of the industry’s biggest names.
Beyoncé: Took a break and came back better than ever
Beyoncé has been working full-time since she was a teenager, so it’s no surprise that she became so overwhelmed with a grueling schedule that she needed a little break. In an interview, she recalls how in January 2010, “it was beginning to get fuzzy — I couldn’t even tell which day or which city I was at. I would sit there at ceremonies and they would give me an award and I was just thinking about the next performance.” She stated that her mother was very persistent in telling her that she had to take care of her mental health. She took a year off of making music and spent the time traveling and relaxing and came back fresh and renewed a year later to make a series of chart-topping albums. While taking an entire year off of work probably isn’t an option for most people, taking a break is one of the best things a person can do for their mental health.
Joyner Lucas: Used music as his creative outlet to manage struggles with an ADHD diagnosis
Joyner Lucas has long been an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and has also used his ADHD diagnosis as what he describes as “a reverse uno card.” In an interview with Billboard, he stated that he embraced his own attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a tool to unlock creativity, so much so he named his 2020 debut album after it. To date, the album has sold over half a million copies and is RIAA-certified gold. The artist has publicly acknowledged that while ADHD has presented him and others with certain challenges, a mental health condition does not need to limit one’s opportunities in life.
Miley Cyrus: Speaks out about removing the stigma of receiving professional help
Miley Cyrus has also been an advocate from mental health and emphasizes the importance of therapy, stating that “every person can benefit from talking to somebody.” The “Flowers” singer also publicly acknowledged that she has taken medicine to treat her depression and wants other people to know that there is no shame in receiving professional medical help for their mental health.
Nicki Minaj: Ensures fans they are not alone
Many people who are struggling with mental health often feel isolated and alone, which only furthers their pain in many cases. Nicki Minaj uses her platform to let others suffering from mental health issues know that they are not alone. Minaj, who has spoken out in the past about how she was so low at one point in her life that she contemplated suicide, took time to mention the importance of mental health at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards while accepting the Video Vanguard award. She stated: “I wish that people understood what they meant and what they were going through. I wish people took mental health seriously, even for the people who you think have perfect lives.” To many, it probably does seem like Minaj has the perfect life. However, she makes a good point that what is shown to the public and on social media is often not a reflection of people’s realities- something everyone can keep in mind before scrolling Instagram and comparing their lives to others.
Big Sean: Keeps it real
Big Sean has often spoken publicly about his own long-held depression and anxiety publicly, explaining that he wanted to “keep it real” because he “was tired of not keeping it real,” he said in an interview in 2021. “I was tired of pretending I was a machine and everything was cool and being politically correct or whatever. I just was like, I’m a just say how I feel.” He hopes that his advice will transcend to fans and their own lives, stating that “whatever they can apply to their life and better themselves and maybe it just even starts a whole journey in a different direction as far as upgrading and taking care of themselves and bossing up themselves.” In a separate interview, he stated how I’m the past he rarely took time to take care of himself and noted that nurturing himself is now a high priority for him- as it should be for everyone.
Doja Cat: Owned her ADHD diagnosis
Like Joyner Lucas, Doja Cat has also talked about how she struggles with ADHD and in an interview, stating that she felt like she “was stuck in one spot and everybody else was progressing constantly.” The “Paint the Town Red” singer learned to channel her creativity into her music and now has progressed to one of the top-selling female artists of her generation. Her advice reminds people that no one progresses in the exact same way and it’s important to not compare your own journey to the journey of others.
Michelle Williams: Stresses the importance of faith, family and friends
Michelle Williams took time from songwriting to write her own memoir about her struggles, “Checking In: How Getting Real About Depression Saved My Life — and Can Save Yours.” In the book, she opens up about her years-long struggle with depression and details how she had suicidal thoughts. She concludes with the importance of prioritizing one’s mental health as well as describes the important role that faith, family and friends play in each other’s mental health journeys.
Jennifer Lopez: Emphasizes self-care, health, and rest
After experiencing an stress-induced panic attack in her late 20s brought on by too much work and not enough sleep, Jennifer Lopez describes how she learn to prioritize her mental health and self-care. She has also stated the importance of exercising, eating healthy, and getting adequate rest, which is great advice if whether you’re performing at the Super Bowl halftime show or working a desk job.
Billie Eilish: Removing stigma and embracing your own uniqueness
Billie Eilish has been under public scrutiny before she was even old enough to drive. In an interview with Vogue, she describes how she struggles with Tourette’s syndrome as well as how she has experienced body dysmorphia in the past, stating how she used to compare herself to models and felt that she was never skinny or pretty enough. Despite her struggles, Eilish broke into the industry and skyrocketed to the top with her own unique sound and look- both of which are constantly evolving. She hopes that Gen Z will be more open to talking about mental health and removing the stigma associated with it. She’s also a living example of how a person’s uniqueness can be the best thing about them.
Kendrick Lamar: Learning to accept change and live with grief
Kendrick Lamar has often spoken openly in the past about his struggles with mental health, survivor’s guilt, and grief. The artist, who is well-known for mastering the art of lyric-writing, has used his talent to discuss his mental health struggles with lyrics such as “money can’t stop a suicidal weakness” and “depression is restin’ on your heart,” amongst others. He states that going through change can be exceptionally difficult for anyone and that “accepting change — that’s the hardest thing for man, accepting change.” Studies show that men are far less likely to seek out treatment for their mental health than women, so hopefully male artists like Lamar can show other men that there is no shame in struggling with mental health.
Kid Cudi: Got clean from drugs, focused on mental health
Kid Cudi has shared how he battled with depression and even had suicidal thoughts. In 2016, he shared that he abused drugs as a way of coping with his depression. In 2016, he checked himself into a treatment center for depression and “suicidal urges.” Kid Cudi is a prime example of showing the importance of how getting professional treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues can have a tremendous impact on a person’s life. Following his rehab stay, he came back to continue to make even more chart-topping music.
Memphis-born rapper NLE Choppa took center stage at Kevin Hart’s Hart House at University Park South, hosting “Study Break Sessions.” The event was a delightful mix of serving food to college students and donating 10% of proceeds to LA Promise Fund’s Black College Success Initiative.
During this lively gathering, USC’s Majorette Team performed impressive routines to the rapper’s chart-topping hits, including the latest single, “College Girls.” NLE Choppa also seized the opportunity to spotlight his brand, Eat Virgin Meal Bars, which officially launched earlier this year, alongside Co-Founder Natasha Pestano Rice.
In an episode of “On The Beet With Jermaine Dupri,” NLE Choppa shared his journey towards a vegan lifestyle, motivated by struggles with mental health. The rapper observed the positive impact of plant-based eating on his well-being and decided to embrace veganism fully.
The event celebrated Hart House’s first anniversary and its commitment to providing plant-based, real ingredients to the community. With four locations across LA, including Westchester, Monrovia, Hollywood, and Downtown, Hart House is a beacon of “plant-based for the people.” Their menu showcases a delectable range of plant-based options, from burgers and chick’n sandwiches to salads, nuggets, fries, tots, and milkshakes, all free from antibiotics, hormones, artificial colors, preservatives, or high-fructose corn syrup. NLE Choppa’s partnership with the plant-based chain underscores the growing popularity and importance of plant-based dining in today’s world.
With the release of For All The Dogs, it seems like Drake might be preparing to slow down on music. The Canadian rapper’s been on a prolific run since 2021, releasing four albums in a little over two years. Add to the fact that Drake has been on tour all summer, we can imagine that the rapper needs some time to unwind. During his recent episode of Table For One, Drake revealed that he would be stepping back from music.
Drizzy explained that he’s faced some health issues over the past few years. “I’ll probably not going to make music for a little bit, I’mma be real with you. I need to focus on my health, first and foremost,” he said. He explained that he’s had issues with his stomach that he needs to focus on. “I need to get right, I have a lot of other things I would love to focus on so I’m going to lock the door on the studio for a little bit,” he added. “I don’t know what a little bit is. Maybe a year or something. Maybe a little bit longer.
It seems as though Drake has been thinking about taking a break from music for a while. Earlier this year, the rapper sat down with Lil Yachty and explained that he’s pondered the idea of a “graceful exit.” “Well, I think like on a broader scale, I think I’m at the point now where I just wanna, like—I feel like maybe we talked about this the other day—but I feel like I’m kind of introducing the concept in my mind of a graceful exit,” he explained.
He added that he’d continue to pop up and perform here and there but he wouldn’t force himself to compete. Most recently, he teased his fans when performing in Miami and declared that he’d be stepping away from music before telling them that he’s “just playin’.” Regardless, it seems as though Drake needs to shift his focus for a bit and we can’t blame him. Check out the clip above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments below.
Jacky Oh‘s cause of death has been revealed. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed death by complications of cosmetic surgery, PEOPLE confirms.
A police report states authorities were dispatched for an unresponsive female, transporting Jacky Oh to Mercy Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The medical team attempted “resuscitative efforts.”
In June, the surgeon who operated on DC Youngfly’s partner, Jacky Oh, broke his silence.
The mother of three passed away at the age of 32. TMZ reported she was in Miami getting a “mommy makeover” before her unexpected death. After receiving backlash on social media, Dr. Zach Okhah has responded on Instagram and made a statement in defense of his practice.
“To my past, current, and prospective patients, PH-1 Miami remains devoted to the highest quality medical care,” Dr. Okhah began. “All aesthetic procedures are performed in a hygienically, safe environment to universally recognized medical standards. I am relentlessly committed to advancing techniques in the realm of plastic surgery. Most importantly, my stuff, and I am sure that each patient is vetted, prepped and treated according to their individual. Patient history prior to any surgery. Our mission is to help our patients achieve the best possible results in the safest and most medically appropriate way possible.”
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