All About Laughs
In the wake of DMX’s passing this week, more and more people have been discussing the state of the music industry and how often it fails those struggling with addiction and health issues. Former Bad Boy recording artist Black Rob made many concerned when he paid his condolences to DMX from a hospital bed. The “Woah!” hitmaker looked very ill and struggled to talk between heavy breaths. Today he revealed more about his health issues.
Black Rob was born Robert Ross. The East Harlem MC found national success in 1999/2000 with his breakout hit “Woah!” which charted on the billboard hot 100. Under mentor Sean “Diddy” Combs, he seemed prepped for superstardom, but unfortunately got lost in the industry shuffle.
Lightning never struck twice for Rob as follow up releases never matched the success of “Woah!”. He’s jumped from label to label in the time since. He also tried his hand at reality television in 2013 with “Come Back Kings”, a show featuring Ed Lover, Calvin Richardson, David “Davinch” Chance (of Ruff Endz), Jeff Sanders, Jameio, Mr. Cheeks and Horace Brown.
He’s been relatively quiet in recent years until the video of him from the hospital bed sufaced. DJ Self posted the clip with Rob’s permission. Rob was hoping to pay his respects to DMX as well as shed light on how the music industry often leaves acts to struggle with no support after their glory days.
The heartbreaking hospital video was posted by DJ Self with the caption “Let keep our prayers up Black Rob !!! Get well man Please people out there take care of yourself [Black Rob] was one of the greats Had NY on his back like Whaooo.” Through heavy breaths, Black Rob expressed his love for DMX. “Big love to X man.”
Rob elaborated on his health in a recent interview. Media Take Out reports that Rob has had 4 strokes in the past 5 years. Black Rob is 51 years old.
They also reported, “It’s not just his health that’s in bad shape, it’s his finances as well. Black Rob signed with Bad Boy around 1996 and in 2000 released his mega hit single “Whoa” but appears to be on hard times. In the same audio, Black Rob can be heard saying that he “doesn’t have a house to live in.” According to Rob, he’s homeless.”
Update:
Mark curry took to instagram earlier today to reveal Rapper Black Rob has been discharged from hospital. Curry also announced that a GoFundMe campaign has been created for the former rapper, which has already reached over $17,000 in donations.
