Preserving Our Living Black History Through Health Care Crusade

(Baton Rouge) -Get On Board Baton Rouge! Baton Rouge is the kick off city to a 40 city Healthcare Tour. Inviting all senior citizens family and friends out on Saturday July 18, 2009 starting at 9:00 a.m. Free admissions @ the Southern University Mini Dome. National Gospel Recording artist LaShun Pace will be in concert, joining her will be our very own “Tha Hip Hop Doc”, Dr. Rani Whitfield, along with the President of the National Baptist of America, Inc. Reverend Dr. Stephen Thurston will be preaching God’s word relating to health. Fill your soul through song and through the word of God, but most of all to educate yourselves more regarding Medicare Plans. Medicare members might be eligible for the Medicare Advantage Plan. (Part C) These plans offer more benefits that may be added to present Medicare members at no extra cost. There will also be free screenings.

Protectors Insurance Healthcare, an African American insurance company with over 40 years of experience based in Houston Texas, recently partnered with Humana Insurance a Fortune 100 company with a nearly 50-years of history in the health industry.

In the African American community heart disease, diabetics, cancer, and stroke are the top killers. Did you know that every 11 seconds, someone turns 65 years of age in America? Furthermore, did you know that African American senior citizens are the unhealthiest group in the Nation. Did you know that we can do something to stop this escalating statistic, improve our health, and preserve our living black history?

We perish due to our lack of knowledge. This is why Protectors Healthcare Insurance / Humana Insurance will be touring 40 cities within 18 months. The question becomes what better time than now to empower and educate our African American senior citizens with the knowledge of these different programs that are in place to give our senior citizens a better equality of life.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” –President Barack Obama.

Interview with Dr. Benjamin Carson

Dr. Benjamin Carson is my personal hero of modern medicine. I was down on my luck and struggling during the first semester of medical school. I read the book Gifted Hands written by Dr. Carson and only then did I realize that what my parents had said all along was true: you can do anything if you believe in yourself and put God first.

Dr. Carson was raised in Detroit with his brother by a single mom. He overcame poverty, low grades, and anger turning his life to God and to medicine. In 1987, the year I graduated from high school, his named was plastered over the media after he successfully orchestrated and led a surgical team to separate twins co-joined at the head. He is also recognized internationally as an expert in performing “hemispherectomies”. This is a procedure in which half the brain is removed to prevent seizures. Dr. Carson’s resume is extensive. At the age of thirty-three he was named Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. He performs over four hundred surgeries a year and he teaches neurological surgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Medical School. He has written several books and is a role model and inspiration to many. In June of 2002, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer; however, he has not let that stop him.

This February, Oscar winning actor Cuba Gooding, Jr. will portray Dr. Carson in the TNT Original movie Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting, introducing, and now interviewing Dr. Carson. Here’s what he had to say.

Hip Hop Doc (H2D): Dr. Carson thanks for taking time out for the interview today.

Ben Carson (BC): No problem Doc, thank you for what you are doing in the community.

H2D: I know you are familiar with my mission to help young people. It’s often stated that our youth are a “lost” cause especially when it comes to there health. We have alarming rates of HIV, obesity, diabetes, and substance abuse in our youth. What is your opinion on the state of our children’s health and what can be done to improve this?

BC: Well, I think a lot of what has happened to deteriorate childhood health has to do with the fact that they are not nearly as involved with their families and not nearly as involved with physical activities. This lack of involvement leaves a lot of time for other things that can get in the way and influence them including poor eating, not exercising, and running with the wrong crowds. I think all young people have to create an identity for themselves and if that identity doesn’t come from their family and from wholesome sources they are going to find other sources for that identity and self worth. Even though it may not be legitimate to think that you are worth something because somebody wants to “make love” to you, you’ll take what you can get. Whether that person is HIV positive or not is a distant concern and that’s unfortunate.

H2D: Can you speak specifically on the obesity epidemic? This is really getting out of hand and I see it in my practice among children and adults daily.

BC: Clearly the lack of physical activity is having a huge impact on the development of childhood obesity, diabetes and a host of other medical conditions, including heart disease and certain cancers. I hate to sound old fashion (we both laugh), but we need to go back, reinvigorate the family and get our children active again.

H2D: Definitely! I try to push that point whenever I speak to groups of students and families. I want to address disparities in health care. Several studies have shown where African Americans are treated less aggressively and often later in the stage of a disease. This often leads to poor outcomes. Why do you think these disparities exist?

BC: Well, a lot of it has to do with fear. I know certainly in Baltimore there are many myths that float around like doctors wanting to experiment on a patient. This creates a general lack of trust among minorities and the medical community. This is a major problem. Another reason is that in the African American community many of us don’t ask enough questions regarding our health. You know as well as I do Dr. Whitfield, that when a patient ask questions and manifest some degree of knowledge and concern as it relates to their health, the patient will be treated differently and paid attention to. We need to take advantage of the Internet and other resources available and come to the doctor prepared to participate and ask questions.

H2D: Do you feel physician error plays a part in this?

BC: Most definitely! We have to be more aggressive when it comes to our patient’s health. I teach the young physicians I work with to listen closely to the patient. Eighty percent of the diagnosis can come from listening to the patient.

H2D: You sound like my professors at Meharry. Laboratory test and x-rays were supposed to enhance decision-making and not be the sole source of your diagnosis.

BC: Exactly!

H2D: I recently spoke with Dr. Jocelyn Elders. She was in Baton Rouge for a debate on whether healthcare was a right or a privilege. What are you thoughts on this?

BC: Well first of all, we spend more than twice as much per capita on health care than the next closest nation in the world and yet we rank number thirty seven in health care, which is craziness! I think any civilized society should offer a minimum level of health care for everybody. There should be no one in this country that can’t get very basic things taken care of. The fact of the matter is there is no one in this country who cannot go to an emergency room where they have to be taken care of but it cost five times more than if they went to a clinic and we all end up paying for that. There are ways that we can use those dollars much more wisely if we crack the system that encourages people to go to that emergency room where once the diabetic foot ulcer is treated the physician says, “hey lets get your diabetes under control,” so you are not back in three weeks with another problem. This is a huge problem we have. I believe that basic health care is a right for anybody in a civilized society. Recognize that we live in a capitalistic society and we should have the option of purchasing something more than the basic health care if they have the means and desire to do so.

H2D: That leads into my next question. We know the numbers: 38-48 million people in our country who are un-insured or under insured and many of these are the working poor. Do you thing President Obama can get this system together?

BC: I’ve heard from the Obama transition team and was asked about a government position…

H2D: Surgeon general?

BC: Yes.

H2D: Well, what did you say?

BC: Well, basically I gave them the same answer that I gave the Bush administration… I’m very happy to help, but I have no desire to become embroiled in the government bureaucracy. Nor do I desire to take a vow of poverty. So as much as I respect the President Obama, I’m going to defer at this time on the position of Surgeon General.

H2D: Understood. Are you still a part of the bioethics committee and what is the role of this committee?

BC: Yes I’m still a member of the committee and basically our role is to advise the President of the United States on ethical issues related to the biological sciences. Things like cloning, stem cell research, and organ donation things we address.

H2D: Dr. Carson you have been an influence and inspiration to many, including myself. Who were some of your role models? I would think after reading Gifted Hands that your mother would be one of them.

BC: Wow, Doc of course she was! She never adopted the victims mentality and never let my brother nor me do that either. Booker T Washington, who you know wrote the book Up From Slavery, taught himself to read even though it was illegal to do so at the time. This great man read everything in sight and became an advisor to two presidents and that really impressed me. My other big role model was Joseph in the Bible. He was sold in to slavery by his own brothers and instead of complaining and giving up, he said basically that if I have to be a slave, I will be the best darn slave there ever was. He ends up becoming the Prime Minister of Egypt. Now that was inspirational to me. My high school biology teacher Frank McConner was great. I mean this guy was dealing with all of us hooligans, but he stilled managed to teach us biology.

H2D: Great! I can’t wait for my young students to read this article. They need to know that even those who have achieved greatness have role models as well. Very few doctors achieve “celebrity” status. Some consider you as a celebrity doctor. I know you were recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and because of your celebrity status, many African American men learned more about this disease. What inspired you to be so open about your battle with this disease?

BC: Well, actually, I did not intend to be so open about my disease. After I was diagnosed with prostate cancer they were announcing on the radio that I had a brain tumor. Then I had all types of cancers; lung cancer, bone cancer; I was dying and had died already (laughing). The Washington Post was doing a series on me, got nervous and asked could they move the interview up. They asked could they follow me through my surgery and then of course Night Line, Charlie Rose and the rest of the national media picked up on it, so I thought, I may as well use this as a means to educate.

H2D: So this “celebrity” doctor thing- is that important to you?

BC: Well you know the movie is coming out in February and I was honored to have Cuba Gooding, Jr. play me. I suspect my life will change even further after that, but you know the only way I see the “celebrity” in me as being useful is to the degree that I can use it to encourage other people. There is so much hoop-la around sports and entertainment and their needs to more around intellectual achievement because our young people are perfectly capable of that as well. That’s what will keep young people at the forefront and not just the ability to shoot jump shots.

H2D: I hear you read Proverbs once a day.

BC: Twice young doctor, morning and night.

H2D: Awesome Dr. Carson. Thank you so much for the interview and I look forward to watching the movie on TNT!

BC: Thank you Dr. Whitfield! This is a great mission and you obviously don’t have to be doing this. Take care of your self.

H2D: Same to you Doc! Peace

Video Premier and Awards Program At Lowery Intermediate School

Tha Hip Hop Doc and Dee-1 perform surgery on January 31, 2008 in Donaldsonville, LA. The question they often get is how, why... How do a doctor and a rapper mix? Well, when u have a board certified doctor who loves his community and that can REALLY SPIT (that means rap) and a rapper who's on a mission 2 change lives, u get Tha Hip Hop Doc and Dee-1, a vicious tag team that's grindin' non-stop 2 make a difference in tha lives of our youth and young adults. After a string of successful performances, an aweomse comic book, a full length CD (State of Emergency) under our belts, and press coverage from DC to ATL, we finally decided to do 2 MUSIC VIDEOS... Are you Ready?!

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Life Expectancy in African-American Men: Improving, But Just Not Good Enough!

What is this mysterious killer with our black men in its sights? Disease that – for the most part – is preventable and treatable with great survivability. The recent untimely deaths of actor/comedian Bernard Jeffery McCullough, also know as Bernie Mac, and musician/singer Isaac Hayes, has re-focused attention to raising awareness and prevention of the premature deaths of African-American men.

Reports claim the life expectancy gap between men and women has decreased, but there are still significant disparities in health care among African American’s and ultimately our survival rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control the estimate of life expectancy at birth for the total United States population is 77.6 years. Men have a life expectancy of 74.8 years compared to 80.1 years for women. There has been an overall improvement in life expectancy for men, however, African-American men live approximately 6.2 years less than white men (69.2 years versus 75.4 years).

Why such a huge disparity?

African Americans make up approximately 13% of the U.S. population, but only about 2.5% of physicians and medical students. We are twice as likely as other ethnic groups to have a stroke; almost twice as likely as other Americans to have diabetes; we have the highest prevalence of high blood pressure in the world; and sadly, represent almost 50% of the new HIV/AIDS cases each year. Afircan-American men have one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the United States, however a recent study published in the September 2008 issue of Cancer reports that we are less likely to be screened for the disease.

The American Medical Association’s (AMA) recent apology to African-American physicians for years of inequality plays a role in health disparities. Forty eight million people in this country are uninsured or under-insured. Even when health insurance and income differences are accounted for and the playing field is fair, AA men still receive fewer preventive services than white men such as flu shots and less aggressive procedures, like colonoscopy screening.

The AMA, however, is not completely to blame. As an African-American physician, I regularly see a general neglect for our health. Lack of exercise, poor eating habits, and the under-utilization of health care services are major pitfalls in our community.

“I have to go to work, Doc,” is a frequent excuse not to see the doctor, not realizing that once you have a heart attack or stroke, the disability associated with these medical problems could keep you from working forever.

In general, men tend to pay less attention to their health, smoke and drink more than women, and do not seek medical help as often as women. AA men frequently ignore symptoms and signs of disease, like chest pain (warning sign of heart disease), headaches (a stroke warning sign or brain tumor), and frequent urination (diabetes or enlarged prostate), and don’t seek care until there is a crisis. The end result is a late diagnosis of serious medical problems, which does not allow for aggressive treatment and potentially a poor overall outcome. Building a relationship with your physician and having family discussions regarding health are essential to better health.

Even in there early demise, Mac and Hayes have still found ways to inspire us. They will be missed, however, they have helped us to realize that we are not invincible and that regular checkups with our doctor, knowing our family history, eating healthy, and exercising are simple, but important ways to maintain good health.


(c)2008. Rani Whitfield, M.D.

AJ Johnson: Self Worth and Wellness Coaching

I read about celebrity fitness experts all the time. On a regular basis, some muscle-bound man or woman trainer poses with a muscle bound man or woman celebrity promising us the same results if you just buy his/her book, protein drink, or some pill or potion.

Potentially dangerous exercises are taught via videotapes and on websites without reliable medical research. Routinely I see patients who get hurt performing exercises the wrong way or who experience side effects from supplements that are not FDA approved.

Then enters the gorgeous, talented and “shredded” AJ Johnson. A vision of perfect health from her skin tone to her physique - and it’s all the result of her hard work, dedication and spiritual beliefs.

When I contacted AJ, she was doing what she does on a regular basis - educating and teaching others about healthy living. Let’s meet AJ Johnson and find out how she has been successful not only in her acting career, but as a life coach to many celebrities and non-celebrities.

AllHipHop.com: AJ, where are you?

AJ Johnson: I’m in my in car in Chicago and I pulled over in front of the John Hancock Center to talk to you for as long as you want. [laughs]

AllHipHop.com: What’s happening in Chi-town?

AJ Johnson: I am here for a number of things, but primarily I’m doing a seminar and fitness demonstration at the Lake Shore Athletic Club and an “Explore the Flavor of Health” event with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) who I’ve done a lot with over the past year or two.

AllHipHop.com: I’ve never heard of that AJ. Tell me a little more about GSK and this event.

AJ Johnson: “Explore the Flavor of Health” is a health fair sponsored by GSK, which will be held at the YMCA on 63rd and Stoney here in Chicago. I am on GSK’s Multicultural Council and I have been very active with them. Last year I did some promotions for their newly released weight loss medication Alli. I have been combining their mission with my mission, coming together for ultimately a bigger mission, which is to promote healthier living, to teach people about their bodies, and to be an advocate for the health and wellness of others by just being me!

AllHipHop.com: You mentioned the over the counter drug Alli® which can help us with weight loss. Do you think over the counter medicines like this are a cop-out for weight loss?

AJ Johnson: Ultimately, you have to modify your lifestyle. Nothing beats good nutrition, exercise, and proper rest. Using Alli® is an aid, but not a substitute for modifying your behavior. What are your thoughts on Alli® Doc?

AllHipHop.com: In combination with exercise and diet, it’s a great drug. Alli® is safe and if the patient understands how it works, the benefits of weight loss and maintaining that weight loss can be significant. So, how did you get in to this health thing AJ? I mean, many of us are familiar with your wonderful roles in movies like The Inkwell, Baby Boy and House Party but, I have to admit, I had no idea you were so involved in health, wellness and personal training.

AJ Johnson: Doc, a lot of people did not know. I encourage you and the AllHipHop family to become a participant in my wellness movement. Check me out on the web at www.theAJzone.com and learn more about what I do. I also want to correct you on one thing, however. What I do is not training individuals, but it is advocating healthy living! Most people think its just fitness because of my physique and that’s a compliment, but it is really healthy living.

You cannot do this without a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Consistency, having a great nutritional program, loving life, being disciplined and not procrastinating are what I am all about. These traits carry over into every facet of my life, and as much as Hollywood has given me a platform, my Hollywood friends started coming to me for help asking me how they could be as happy and as energetic as they saw me.

AllHipHop.com: Wow! That’s what’s up. But, for those old and new fans of yours who don’t know, let me list for them a few of your clients: Terrell Owens, Stevie Wonder, Damon Dash, Gabrielle Union, Boris Kudjoe and his wife Nicole Ari Parker, and John Singleton to name a few. You have some heavy hitters on this list. Some people would think that you would only “train” females. And by the way, how do you train a Terrell Owens?

AJ Johnson: Doc, there you go again!

AllHipHop.com: What?

AJ Johnson: Using that word “training.” The people at my company don’t even say or use the word training. I mean look at the list! How do you train Gabrielle Union to do anything? How do you train Stevie Wonder to be more dedicated? How do you train T.O. to run faster? These are individuals at the top of their games looking for something more than just better performance.

What I do for them is coach them; I’m a life Coach! I just let them know that there is a”better” for all of us. And as great as they are in their careers, there is a “better” that everyone can be and we need to strive for that “better” and live life to the fullest.

AllHipHop.com: Did anyone thing or person motivate you to be so lively and energetic?

AJ Johnson: I lost my mother to cancer and literally witnessed my father on his deathbed. I don’t like losing things that I love. My dad would write a saying to me in every birthday card. Before his salutation of “Love, Daddy,” he would write, “Dance until the lights turn off.” I honestly thought the first time I saw it in my birthday card, that he meant for me to close the club down. [laughs] But what I realized was that there was a much bigger message in that statement!

AllHipHop.com: What do you mean?

AJ Johnson: The much bigger message, which is tattooed on my ankle in French is to simply “Live life to the fullest!” Basically, I’m going to close it down everyday and I don’t mean the club either!

AllHipHop.com: Cool! Your energy is making me want to exercise now! So what’s an average day in the life of AJ?

AJ Johnson: Doc, I have to send you back to the website, www.theajzone.com. Everything I do is there. The website is written in first person, and I have a team that helps me tremendously to continue to build and grow the site as well as keeping the information current. The site provides my clients and visitors with tools that will make them happy, healthy and energetic!

AllHipHop.com: And you update your portion of the site how often?

AJ Johnson: Weekly, daily:- it just depends what’s going on and there is a lot going on! There are so many sections on the site that can help us. I discuss what motivates me, provide daily words, wellness plans, and success stories. You name it, and if it has something to do with maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle, The AJ Zone is addressing these very things.

AllHipHop.com: What about stress? Actress, life coach, marriage… How do you do it all?

AJ Johnson: First of all, you know I’m not married. [laughs]

AllHipHop.com: Hmmm… Then I still have a chance AJ? Need to tone up a little… (doing pushups between words)

AJ Johnson: Doc, you are a mess! [laughs] I try to avoid stress. Stress… that’s the killer. As African-Americans, we’ve got high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, just to name a few, and we are dying earlier than other ethnic groups. One of the things you said to me was you were sick and tired of young people dying from preventable and treatable diseases. Well, so am I! I don’t want to go anywhere, and I don’t want people I love to die as a result of unhealthy living.

No, my parents are no longer living, but I learned a lot from them while they were alive. All I’m doing is accepting my life purpose and the mission God has given me to help other people with what I’ve learned. This is not a job to me, this is a lifestyle. The reason you have not seen me in movies lately is because I have been traveling, spreading the message about healthy living. It’s very obvious that our country is about to experience great changes and I want to be a part of that change, especially when it comes to health. I also want to do it stress free!

AllHipHop.com: How do we make changes in our lives? How do we get started?

AJ Johnson: Start small. I started with some minor lifestyle changes and over time they became not just routine, but essential for living. I am excitedly living naturally now.

AllHipHop.com: All natural? Come on AJ! Not an occasional burger from a fast food restaurant?

AJ Johnson: Yes Doc, all natural! All the health care products, hair care and skin care products are all natural- not chemical, completely natural.

AllHipHop.com: That is great and studies support that living natural is better for our bodies. What advice would you give to young people who have a sense of invincibility and think that they are exempt from health problems?

AJ Johnson: First of all, none of us are invincible or exempt from health problems. We can, however, reduce our risk of some medical problems and live better lives. The most general and important message I can give them is to truly believe that there is a “better” and that the “better” comes from the choices one makes.

AllHipHop.com: You have given us all some great information today. Is there anything else you would like to add before we bounce and I head to the gym?

AJ Johnson: My final words to AllHipHop and to you Doc would be to love yourself. None of what I’m saying will do any good if you don’t have self worth.

(c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. Published July 19, 2008 at www.allhiphop.com

Winning AHA's Meritorious Achievement Award

Meritorious Achievement award goes to local doctor
The American Heart Association has awarded Baton Rouge family physician Rani Whitfield, M.D., the 2008 Award of Meritorious Achievement for his contribution to the association’s level of awareness and commitment to minority programs. His outstanding service in addressing healthcare disparities and service to minority and underserved communities has helped the AHA in achieve our goals and enhance relationships between the association and underserved communities.

Known as “Tha’ Hip Hop Doc,” Whitfield serves on various community organizations, is a heart volunteer, was a keynote speaker for power to end stroke kick off in Memphis, and organized Baton Rouge’s first ever “Hoopin’ for Health” health fair in partnership with the AHA, educating the community on stroke and its warning signs. Whitfield is also a board certified sports medicine physician.

The award is conferred annually to four or five individuals who have rendered an important service to AHA in the development of its affiliate programs, not for local accomplishments. Recipients of this award are selected primarily for a specific significant accomplishment or project and have demonstrated leadership in an enterprise or activity of the association.

The Troubled Genius of Jimi Hendrix, Bushwick Bill, DJ Screw, Mary J. Blige, Rick James, Ray Charles and more

African-American musicians have made significant contributions to the rich culture of our country and the world. June is Black Music Month, and is dedicated to the recognition of African-American artists who have enhanced our lives through creating some of the world's most treasured music.  

Our musical roots span a diverse means of expression that hark back to the drums and dances of Africa used in rituals and ceremonies.  

When the slave trade began in the 18^th century, spirituals sung by the slaves were more than songs of praise and worship, as they often communicated secret messages about escape routes for runaway slaves and other hidden messages. 

 This music and its altered forms still resonate today from the same place that they began within the artist – a soul tortured by the pain and suffering of mental and physical anguish.  

 Despite successful chart ratings, many of our most celebrated musicians have struggled to maintain peace in their personal lives. Uninitiated admirers of the dazzling lyrics and choreography of Dorothy Dandridge, Tina Turner and Frankie Lymon have been made privy to their personal pains in big screen movies that reveal both the artistry of these performers, as well as their dark spirals of being misunderstood. 

 They were simultaneously lonely, rejected and revered by their country, and reviled by their ethnic brothers for committing that unwritten sin: “making it.” And sometimes they were just plain beaten down by the elusive Cupid, who would aim errant arrows at their bruised hearts. Today we are taking a look at a few of our most beloved artists and their troubled times.

 Jazz 

Charlie “Yardbird” Parker (1920-1955)

 Charlie “Yardbird” Parker is considered the one of the greatest musical innovators of the 20^th century, and a main contributor to the development of Bebop (modern jazz) in the 1940’s. His style of saxophone playing was unmatched and he worked with some of the greatest musicians in the world such as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Max Roach, and Miles Davis. 

 His career was significantly impacted by the lack of attention to his music by the main stream record labels. Parker’s battle with drugs and alcohol served to further harm him both physically and economically as he was both banned from the legendary 52^nd Street club in New York named after him, Birdland, and also forced him to spend time in rehab for his drug use. In 1954, he attempted suicide after the death of his daughter and died in 1955 from complications of pneumonia at age thirty-four.

 Billie Holiday (1915-1959) 

Billie Holiday is considered one of the best jazz vocalists of all time. She was born Eleanora Fagan, but later changed her first name to Billie after film star Billie Dove.  Billie was discovered in Harlem, and is most well known for her songs that plaintively cry for the pains and suffering of her Black brothers and sisters as they tried to eke out a living. 

 Songs such as “God Bless the Child” and “Strange Fruit” both recorded in 1939, dealt with disenfranchisement from the American Dream after Black blood had been spilled on the battlefields of WWI, and swinging from trees in the inhumane practice of lynching that was not censured but tacitly accepted. 

 Holiday’s successful music career was marred by several arrests for narcotics use and she battled alcohol abuse as well. She spent a year in drug rehab but was unable to shake the evil lure of her addiction. Before her drug and alcohol abuse related death on July 17, 1959 in a New York City hospital, she continued to tour and wrote a biography entitled Lady Sings the Blues (1956), which was later made into the film starring Diana Ross.

 Teenage Pop Star

 Frank J. “Frankie” Lymon (1942-1968)

 Frankie Lymon, portrayed in the movie Why Do Fools Fall In Love by Larenz Tate, was considered one of the first African-American teenage pop stars.  At the age of 13, Frankie formed the group Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers and served as the lead singer.  The group’s debut single “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” was a top 40 hit!  He is given credit for paving the way for and influencing the sound of The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, and Smokey Robinson. 

 Lymon lead a troubled life, however. He left the group after just one year for an unsuccessful solo career, and began abusing alcohol and drugs. At the young age of 26, Frankie Lymon died of a heroin overdose.

 Hip-Hop

 Richard Shaw, a.k.a. Bushwick Bill (1966- ) 

Bushwick Bill, born Richard Shaw in Kingston, Jamaica, is no stranger to traumatic life events. This well-known rapper joined the Geto Boys in 1988 making a name for himself, not because of his dwarfism, but because of his unique voice.  As a member of the Geto Boys and as a solo artist, he wrote and performed on three gold and platinum albums.

 In May of 1991, Bushwick forced his then 17-year-old girlfriend to help him commit suicide by having her shoot him. The attempt was unsuccessful in that he didn’t lose his life, but lost his right eye. Bill is now a Christian rapper, and recently commented on R&B singer Houston Summers after his failed suicide attempt. 

 Houston attempted suicide by jumping from a 13^th floor hotel room while overseas in London. After being restrained by security personnel and locked in his room, Houston gouged his eye out. It was reported later that Summers had been under psychiatric supervision for bipolar disorder, and has an addiction to the drug PCP.  Said Bushwick, “I wouldn’t wish that on anyone else, to force the hand of death.” 

Robert Earl Davis, Jr., a.k.a. DJ Screw (1971-2000)

 Rapper, DJ, and producer Robert Earl Davis, Jr. was born in Bastrop, Texas. As a child he spent time in Smithville, Texas and Los Angeles, California, and began collecting records at the age of five. Davis dropped out of high school to focus on a music career, and in 1989 began his career as a disc jockey. It is rumored that he would spend hours upon hours mastering his trade, working on tapes and developing a handful of artists as he prepared them to perform in local clubs.  

In 1993 DJ Screw became a household name among rap fans nationwide with his album All Screwed Up!  His unique style involved slowing the tempo of songs to half their normal speed or less and mixing it with other music. He would often “screw” music together creating head bobbing beats. DJ Screw opened the Screwed Up Record and Tapes Store in Houston, Texas and a record label. 

 With screw music’s hallucinogenic Hip-Hop style, however, came drug use. Many who listened to the music drank codeine containing cough syrup mixed with soda to “enhance” the effect of the music and their overall experience.  DJ Screw was known to “sip syrup,” and on November 16, 2000 he was found dead in the restroom of his Houston recording studio from a codeine overdose.  

 Rock & Roll

 Chuck Berry (1926-) 

A musician, singer and composer, Charles Edward Anderson Berry is considered one of rock’s most influential and enigmatic figures. Born in a middle class neighborhood in St. Louis, he is given credit for influencing The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. The high point of his career between the ‘50s and ‘60s included over 30 songs that are considered rock & roll classics. 

 In the words of the late John Lennon, “If you tried to give rock & roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.” With his guitar, he turned country into rock, and forged the way for other greater rock guitar players. Many call him the Father of Rock & Roll. 

 His life, however, was not without chaos.  At age 17, Berry and two friends went on a robbery spree, stole a car, and upon capture he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.  He served three years in a reformatory for young men, and while incarcerated he learned boxing, started a band and singing quartet, and boasted about being intimate with the superintendent’s wife.

 Berry later served two other prison terms - one for tax evasion, and had a run-in with the law in July of 1990 as he was accused of drug trafficking and possession. His estate was raided by the DEA and resulted in the confiscation of marijuana and pornographic videotapes. Charges were later dropped. 

 Berry, now 76, still plays once a month in his hometown of St. Louis at his music club Blueberry Hill in the Duck Room, which is named after his famous “duck walk” that he often performed on stage.

 Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)

 Growing up playing guitar in his hometown of Seattle, Washington, it seemed as if Jimi Hendrix was destined for fame. He imitated blues greats like Muddy Waters and early rock & roller Chuck Berry. In 1959 he joined the army and became a paratrooper. He received an honorable discharge in 1961 after an injury and came home to start a life-long career in music. Hendrix played backup to musicians such as Little Richard, B.B. King, Ike and Tina Turner and Sam Cooke. 

 In 1964, Hendrix moved to New York to further his career, and was “discovered” by British bass player Bryan Chandler of the Animals. In 1966, Chandler arranged to manage Hendrix, and flew him to London where the Jimi Hendrix Experience was created. The band’s first single, “Hey Joe” hit number six on the British pop charts, and the group became an over night sensation. 

 The Jimi Hendrix Experience made its first U.S appearance in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival. Jimi amazed the crowd that evening with his bizarre guitar distortion, feedback, and volume. In that same concert, Hendrix played the guitar with his teeth and set his guitar on fire, leaving the crowd star struck. The group later disbanded, and his performances at Woodstock in 1969 along with his blazing rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” are two of his most memorable moments.  

Sadly, Hendrix’ career was plagued with drugs and alcohol. He used LSD, cocaine, and was rumored to use heroin. In September of 1970, Jimi Hendrix died following barbiturate intoxication and inhalation of his own vomit.   

 Rhythm and Blues 

Mary J Blige (1971-)

 From high school dropout to Hip-Hop and R&B diva, Mary J Blige is the ultimate example of success.  Born in the Bronx in 1971, she eventually ended up in Yonkers, New York living with her mother and sister. Blige grew up in what she describes as a drug-infested, crime and poverty-stricken area, where she was molested at the age of five. 

 Before dropping out of high school, Mary J recorded a karaoke version of Anita Baker’s “Caught Up in the Rapture” which made it into the hands of Andre Harrell at Uptown Records. Four years later, Mary J was dubbed the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” and released her debut album What’s the 411?, produced by Sean Combs. The album went triple platinum. 

 In 1999 Mary J went on a tour sponsored by the beverage company Seagram’s. She recalls always having a cup in her hand, drinking large amounts of gin and grapefruit juice. The drinking led to smoking weed and cigarettes, and eventually to cocaine use that could easily have ended her career; all this to mask the pain of abusive relationships and growing up hard without a father figure. 

 Thankfully, Blige’s strong spiritual background, the death of Aaliyah and an ultimatum from then boyfriend and now husband Kendu Isaacs, saved her. Among her list of accolades are winning three Grammy’s in 2005, several successful albums and a recent tour with Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z.    

 Rick James (1948-2004) 

James Ambrose Johnson, Jr., also known as Rick James, was born in Buffalo, New York. James was the third of eight children and was raised in a strict Catholic household by a single mother. His uncle, Melvin Franklin, was a vocalist with The Temptations, and may have had some influence on his pursuit of music as a career.  At age 15 he joined the Naval Reserve, but when it interfered with his music career, James went AWOL and fled to Canada to continue playing music. 

 When he returned to the States, he eventually served time. After a short run with his band called The Mynah Birds in Buffalo, he traveled to Los Angeles playing bass for several short-lived bands. In 1977, he started a solo career and debuted his album Come and Get It which included the hit songs “You and I” and “Mary Jane.” 

 James became known as the King of Punk Funk, and released two albums in 1979, and the Grammy-nominated 1981 project Street Songs, which included the hit Teena Marie duet “Fire and Desire.” Street Songs went triple platinum and brought James instant fame. Throughout his career, the singer battled with drugs and alcohol abuse.  In the early 1990’s his cocaine use was out of control, and he spent two years in prison after being convicted of assaulting two women.  

After his release from jail and an attempt at a comeback, Rick James suffered a stroke, which ended his musical career. Thanks to comedian Dave Chappelle, James had a few more moments in the limelight, but his health was poor and he died in his sleep on August 6, 2004.

 The family initially attributed the 56-year-old artist’s death by heart attack to “natural causes,” but the Los Angeles County coroner concluded that a combination of nine drugs likely contributed to James' death. The substances discovered in the post mortem autopsy included cocaine, methamphetamine, the painkiller Vicodin, the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and the anti-depressant Wellbutrin.

 Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) 

Born Marvin Gay, Jr. (the “e” was added later) in Washington, DC, the young and talented singer was exposed to music and mayhem early in his life. His father, Marvin Gay, Sr. was a traveling minister and cross-dresser who often had fits of rage. Somehow young Marvin continued to sing and learned to play drums in his father’s church. 

 Gaye joined the Air Force after high school, only to be discharged after disobeying orders. He returned to DC to continue his singing career with the Marquees and Bo Didley, and later with the Moonglows. It was his introduction to Berry Gordy that catapulted his career. He initially played drums for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, but his vocal talents did not go unnoticed, and he eventually signed his own record deal with Motown.  

After several R&B hits with Motown, Gaye partnered with the talented vocalist Tami Terrell. The duo was amazing, and recorded hits such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need to Get By.”  Despite their happy times, Terrell’s health began to decline and it was discovered that she had a brain tumor. After her death in 1970, Gaye became severely depressed and resorted to drugs and alcohol to mask his pain. Despite heavy drug use, he was still able to record one of his most popular albums, What’s Going On, in 1971.  

Issues with Motown forced Gaye to leave the label and sign with Columbia Records.  In 1982 he recorded and released the multi-platinum song “Sexual Healing.”  Gaye’s financial and health problems, combined with a protracted battle against drug addiction and alcohol, resulted in him living with his parents. On April 1, 1984 Gaye was shot and killed by his father during an argument. It was later discovered that his father had a brain tumor.

 Blues/Country Western

 Ray Charles Robinson, a.k.a. Ray Charles (1930-2004)

 Ray Charles is undoubtedly one of the most talented and versatile musicians ever to walk the face of this earth! Born during the Great Depression and raised on blues, country, gospel, jazz and big band music, Ray Charles showed an interest in music at the early age of three. After completely losing his vision by age seven, he was admitted to a state-supported school for the deaf and blind in Florida. There, he learned to read and write music in Braille. 

 After his mother’s death when he was only 15, Charles left the school and traveled with the chitlin’ circuit, playing with dance bands. He began using heroin at age 15 - around the same time he met the young and talented Quincy Jones, who Charles taught to write and arrange music. Ray Charles went from playing in a small trio called the McSon Trio to signing a record deal with Atlantic Records. 

 In 1954 Charles recorded “I Got A Woman,” which reached number one on the R&B chart in 1955. Ray’s successful career had no bearing on his difficulties with substance abuse, depression and marital problems. Charles has a list of awards and honors longer than my arm, however, his greatest contributions to music come from his innovative style and meshing of gospel and secular music. The movie Ray starring Jamie Foxx is a must-see, as it depicts the extraordinary life of Ray Charles Robinson.

 Funk 

George Clinton (1940-)

 Very few people know that funk music legend George Clinton started his career in the 1950’s performing doo-wop music. The former North Carolina-born barber was inspired after hearing pop star Frankie Lymon, and started a doo-wop quintet called the Parliaments in 1955 while living in New Jersey and straightening hair (not cutting hair – “It was more lucrative,” says Clinton).  Clinton left Jersey for Detroit after an unsuccessful career with the Parliaments. He continued to hustle, making records, publishing, and producing. He also began experimenting with LSD. 

 The Parliaments became Parliament, with influences from Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone helping to mold the band into its funky and unorthodox form known today. Clinton would actually perform naked on stage, often under the influence of drugs. Clinton, the front man for both Parliament and later Funkadelic began using crack cocaine in the 1980’s. He was still able to maintain a somewhat successful career – his most well known hit being “Atomic Dog.”  

Considering multiple legal battles and deals gone bad, George Clinton is still in demand, and is often seen or called upon to perform at special events -  including a party by former president Bill Clinton.  

Despite celebrity and fame, many great Black musicians have struggled with illegal drugs, alcohol and mental health issues.  Racism, human frailties, and untreated or unrecognized mental disorders are often culprits in these tendencies. Racism effectively limited opportunities for financial advancement and social acceptance, thus impacting these artists’ abilities to make a living. 

 Conceivably, depression and anger related to those difficulties directed some of these sensitive, creative musicians to the addictive qualities of drugs and alcohol as an escape. The temporary euphoria possibly enabled them to continue their artistic pursuits, dulled the pain of racism, masked mood disorders like anxiety and depression, and briefly suspended the harsh realities of being Black in the music world.

 Check me out in the June issue of Ebony discussing my take on the state of Hip-Hop!  Special thanks to my big brother Eric Whitfield, jazz saxophonist for his help with this piece.  He is a walking textbook when it comes to music.  

 (c) 2008 Rani Whitfield. Published June 17, 2008 at www.allhiphop.com