Miami rapper Trick Daddy, born Maurice Young, has just announced that he suffers from the chronic, autoimmune disease lupus.Trick, who is best known for hits like 'Shut Up' and 'Let's Go,' revealed the upsetting news when he appeared on 'The Rickey Smiley Morning Show' last week to promote the release of his forthcoming autobiography, 'Magic City: Trials of a Native Son.'
"I went to the doctor like 12 years ago," Trick said. "She took all kinds of tests, because I was trying to get rid of what we call dry skin. She did biopsies and blood tests and swab tests. She told me I have lupus...I am allergic highly to the sun, that's my worst enemy. It's like an AK-47 with a double clip on it. I could jeopardize kidney and liver failure from the treatment and the medication."
Lupus causes the immune system to attack the body's own organs and tissues instead of bacteria or viruses. There is no known cause for the disease, which is most common among women, and affects African Americans more often than Caucasians. The symptoms worsen after exposure to sunlight and certain kinds of medication. The disease most recently took the life of celebrated producer James "J Dilla" Yancey.
Though Lupus is deadly, Trick has managed to stay positive, having managed his illness quietly for the past 12 years.
"Remember I came out with the bald head recently? A lot of people joke about it, but I came from so far in the struggle where it don't matter to me," Trick explained. "I learned how to turn my down sides into jokes and get around it. My Mama had eleven children from ten different men. If she was strong enough to live with that, I can live with this."
Trick also announced that he has a graphic novel and an upcoming movie role, which is set to begin shooting shortly. "They got me in a movie with a lot of gangsters from 'The Wire' and the big black films. I can be me. I can be a G on it."
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Reader Comments(1 of 8)
jkmhccat 3-24-2009
What have we learned from this article? That you can equate an AK-47 with a disease. His Mom slept around, alot, Father's day must be a riot. Judging by his unique comnmand of the english language, he used a ghost writer for his book. You won't see him at the beach.....
shyinarizonaat 3-24-2009
Too Funny!!
Dennysnackat 3-24-2009
Your perception of what he said makes you very ignorant!!!!
Marsat 3-24-2009
'sides, heeza myoozishun rite? bow and prayzz 4 dis wun. nuthin' but aspekt!
jmpaskoc21at 3-24-2009
is that all you got out of this? really,,,
KADKINSAat 3-24-2009
YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!.From a person who also has this terrible disease it is not a walk in the park.The day I found out I cried in the the doctors office and hoped that the lupus had not effected my organs but it may happen at any time,it is like living with a time bomb not knowing when the lupus will progress to a point that you will loose your life.Not only do you have that to worry about,the constant pain is another story.So I hope that when you start making comments about someones disease you should do some research first.I hope that you never have to live with something like this.
Mikeat 3-24-2009
Momma had 11 kids from 10 different men? Is this Travis Henry's kid? Boy, as a son you must be proud!
"My Moms is listed in the Yellow Pages under Public Utilities."
kentz76at 3-24-2009
It's unfortunate that some persons seem jaded and unsympathetic to the problems and plights of others. In telling us about his mother he was praising her for coping with adversity. Your moral judgment is irrelevant. As for his "command of English" yours could use some help, too. Don't be so judgmental.
Honeybrownat 4-06-2009
You have issues, just because he chose to compare his life altering disease to a AK-47 that is how he feels. some people need to think before they speak, and it is quite apparent your the leader of the pack. You better pray that the Lord has mercy on your soul, we should not judge others, especially if you haven't walked a mile in their shoes God bless you!
JUDYat 3-24-2009
Ms. Tameka u are a beautiful woman. You do not need plastic surgery. Thank God you are ok and take care of your heart. Your children need you. Good Luck.
ganny2alexisat 3-24-2009
I also have lupus and it is a deadly disease. IT"S NOT A JOKE, jkm!! My mom did not sleep around and it is like an AK-47 walking around with this disease. It's bad when you can't get out in the sun. So, don't make jokes if you don't understand something, show just a little compassion!!
mpattyl8at 3-24-2009
His mom sleeping around had NOTHING to do with lupus so whoever said that is really DUMB! If it were that easy to determine why some get lupus and some don't they would have found a cure!
Thank you for sharing, Ganny because people have got to learn that lupus is serious and it's no picnic!
Mattat 3-24-2009
I too suffer from it, along with my sister. I feel sorry for ignorant people like "jkmhcc". Those are the people that wind up learning about something serious when it affects someone in their own life. God bless all of us who are afflicted with this terrible disease.
Nancyat 3-24-2009
I know what you are talking about as I also have lupus. Everyday is a struggle because you don't know what it will bring. People need to research before they start to run their mouth. It is so little known about lupus,hasn't been a new drug for treatment in 50 years! Thanks Trick Daddy for coming out and letting us know, maybe more will be done now to find a cure!
coombehillat 3-24-2009
my aunt had lupus, diagnosed in the early 1960s. She lived to be 97 with all her marbles, doing tai chi and reading People magazine...she died when she decided she did not want invasive intervention for an uncurable heart condition. She lived with lupus for over 60 years.