Beat logo

The Healing Power of Hip-Hop Music

Hip hop artists Nas and The Pharcyde helped me during my journey of being a two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee.

By Darryl C. RichiePublished 7 years ago 4 min read
Like

I was first diagnosed with knee cancer called Osteosarcoma at 14 years old (1999-2000), and while doing my chemotherapy treatment, I had to get a knee replacement to save my right leg. While doing chemotherapy treatment, I came across hip hop artist Nas and his album Stillmatic.

I knew who Nas was, but at the time I wasn’t a fan because I wasn’t familiar with his previous albums. I was battling a life-threatening disease during the same time Stillmatic was released, and I resonated with his lyrics about his personal life, the conscious and political content about the world we live in, bridging the gap between African and African-American history and how important it is to never give up.

While I was diagnosed with cancer, it brought a lot of stress because I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. I also experienced a wide range of emotions from anger, fear, sadness, and guilt.

Nas’ Stillmatic helped me uplift my mind, body, and soul. When I first heard the first track off the album, “Stillmatic (The Intro),” it helped me believe I could defeat cancer. The song helped change my state of mind of feeling sorry myself, guilty and to make the best of my situation.

“The Brother’s “Stillmatic,” I crawled up out of that grave, wipin’ the dirt, cleanin’ my shirt, they thought I’d make another “Illmatic.” But it’s always forward I’m movin’, never backwards stupid here’s another classic.” - Nas, "Stillmatic (The Intro)", Stillmatic
“This is the rebirth, I know the streets thirst water like Moses. Walking through the hot desert, searching to be free. This is my ending and new beginning – nostalgia. Alpha and Omega places, it’s like a glitch in the Matrix.” - Nas, "Stillmatic (The Intro)", Stillmatic

Listening to music while going through chemotherapy treatment allowed me to keep my mind off the discomfort that was caused by the treatment. For instance, the music helped me cope with the stress, fear and the loneliness I was feeling.

While listening to the music, it was easy for me to be taken away from the serious reality I was forced to go through at the time. For example, Nas’ Stillmatic helped ease the tension while I was undergoing chemotherapy, and it helped me with my overall stress throughout the day.

When I was 17-years-old, the same cancer came back in my right leg and I had to get my right leg amputated (2002-2003). Now I am a hip amputee and could only walk with a prosthetic leg.

In 2008, I was 23-years-old and hade been a hip amputee for six years. During this time (2008-2009 school year), I got accepted to attend California State University, Long Beach to finish my undergraduate studies.

Before transitioning to the university, I came across the hip hop group The Pharcyde. They are an alternative hip hop group consisting of four members: Imani, Bootie Brown, FatLip and Simkid Tre. I came across their song, “Runnin’,” which is about dealing with peer pressure, bullying and to not run away from problems.

“So, I stood up and let my free form, form free. Said I’m gonna get some before they knockin’ out me. I don’t sweat it, I let the bulls**t blow in the breeze, in other words, just debris.” - Slimkid Tre, "Runnin’", Labcabincalifornia
“Now don’t be wishin’ of switchin’ any positions with me, cause when you in my position, it ain’t never easy. To do any kind of maintainin’ cause all this gamin’ and famin’ from entertainin’ is hella strainin’ (to the brain and). But I can’t keep runnin’ I just gotta keep keen and cunnin’” - Imani, "Runnin’", Labcabincalifornia

When I became a hip amputee, I felt different and alone because there was nobody I could relate to. To my knowledge, none members of The Pharcyde had ever had cancer or became a hip amputee, but their lyrics throughout their Labcabincalifornia album showed me how to be authentic and to not be ashamed about what I was forced to become: A two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee.

Nas is my favorite hip hop artist and The Pharcyde is my favorite hip hop group because their music helped me get through difficult times in my life. I wasn’t a fan of these artists before I got seriously ill, but their creativity through their music helped me overcome many adversities at the perfect time.

On July 25th, I had a Doctor’s appointment with Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics and my insurance was approved for me to get a new prosthetic leg. My next appointment is Aug. 14th, and I’ll be getting casted, which is the next big step towards getting my new prosthetic leg.

This is my 100th Blog post! I’ve come a long way since I first started this endeavor in Nov. 2013. To check out my accomplishments through photos, click here.

To check out more about how hip hop artists Nas, The Pharcyde along with Blu & Exile helped me on my journey of being a two-time cancer survivor and later becoming a hip amputee, click here.

To check out more about my personal journey of being a two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee, click here.

To check out my PowerPoint Presentation about how Nas and the inFAMOUS video game franchise help tell my story of being a two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee, click here.

To check out my inspirational speech “The Connection,” click here.

Disclaimer

I don’t own any content from Nas and The Pharcyde. No Copyright Intended. All image and lyric content is copyright to their respective owners. All rights go to Nas and The Pharcyde.

Drake, D., Isenberg, D., Ahmed, I., Paez-Pumar, L. Nas Image. Digital image. Compex. Www.complex.com, 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 July 2017. http://www.complex.com/music/2013/02/the-50-best-nas-verses/nas-poppa-was-a-playa

Jones, N, Perf. Jones, N. Cond. R. Scott, J. Neal, J. Bynoe, N. Walden, and B. Hull (Hangmen 3 Productions). Stillmatic (The Intro). Nas. Ill Will,Columbia/SME, 2001. Web. 25, July, 2017. https://genius.com/Nas-stillmatic-the-intro-lyrics

Nas logo . Digital image. Brands of the World . Www.brandsoftheworld.com, n.d. Web. 27 July 2017. https://www.brandsoftheworld.com/logo/nas

Nas Stillmatic Album Art. Digital image. www.genius.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017. http://genius.com/Nas-stillmatic-album-art-lyrics

Paul, J. Mesothelioma Help Now, Music Therapy for Cancer Patients Helps Survival, October 08, 2015, July 25, 2017. https://www.mesotheliomahelpnow.com/blog/music-therapy-cancer/

The Pharcyde Album Art. Digital image. www.thepharcyde.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2017. http://thepharcyde.com/the-pharcyde-labcabincalifornia-20-year-anniversary/

The Pharcyde Image. Digital image. Delicious Vinyl. Delicious Vinyl, n.d. Web. 27 July 2017. http://deliciousvinyl.com/artists/the-pharcyde/

The Pharcyde - Runnin' Perf. Stewart, D., Hardson, T., and Wilcox, E. Cond. Y, James. Delicious Vinyl, 2007. The Pharcyde - Runnin' Delicious Vinyl, 12 Oct. 2007. Web. 25 July, 2017. https://genius.com/The-pharcyde-runnin-lyrics

humanityrap
Like

About the Creator

Darryl C. Richie

Inspirational Speaker, Author and Blogger looking to inspire with my story of being a two-time cancer survivor and hip amputee, and connect the African Diaspora to their African roots via Black Consciousness.

http://www.calmandstrong.net/

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.