Legendary rapper Scarface best known for his lyrical ability and from platinum-selling group Geto Boys fame has been reportedly admitted into the Intensive Care Unit of a local hospital. The rapper jumped on social media to share the news with his fans.
In a picture posted to Instagram, a nurse wearing purple latex gloves appears to be placing a bandage over a sizable scar. He’s wearing an oxygen tube and has sensors all over his body. Judging by the cut, it’s possible whatever medical crisis he’s experiencing is heart-related. Accompanying the photo, he wrote a very cryptic message, only adding to suspicion about what he’s dealing with.
“Ouch… [three prayer hands emojis] Grateful,” he captioned.
Scarface did not outline the nature of his treatment or what he was admitted for. But the Houston Chronicle pointed out that one of the professionals in the image belonged to the facility’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. After he’s had time to properly heal, Scarface might provide the public with further information.
Fans and peers alike hopped in his comment section to share their support. Everyone from Krayzie Bone and Travis Scott to academic and author, Marc Lamont Hill wants to let Scarface they’re in his corner. DJ Quik told the rapper (real name Brad Jordan) that it was not his time, and they still had work to do. “Brad, we got more work to do bro. Ain’t no time to be out of time.”
His Complicated History of Health Issues Over the Years
‘Face has had his fair share of issues when dealing with his health journey.
COVID & Mental Health Struggles
Born Brad Terrence Jordan, Scarface battled COVID-19 that nearly took him out. When looking back over his life, he’s grateful to be alive because he was literally on his deathbed. He had to come to a point in his life where he had to change up his style of eating, exercise and everything to improve his health. Even his mental health was at risk.
“It was serious, man. I wanted to die back then,” explains Scarface. “And if you ask me why … I can honestly tell you I don’t know. I have no idea. Maybe I felt worthless.” Luckily, he explained, he moved beyond those thoughts.
After being diagnosed as manic depressive when he was only 12 years old, his mental health has improved in recent years.
Manic depression is a brain condition that can cause extreme mood swings in children and teens. These mood swings can range from periods of mania, characterized by high energy and elevated mood, to periods of depression, characterized by sadness and hopelessness. These mood swings can cause problems with school, family, friendships, and ability to function.
As a pre-teen and teenager with that diagnosis, Scarface may have times of great elation, happiness, elevated mood, or irritability. This is called mania. These episodes often alternate with periods of major depression. That is why this disorder has two poles or symptoms.
In light of him seeking help for his depression, ‘Face said he had been taking the journey one day at a time.
“Some days are better than others,” he said. “Even right now, yeah. But I know I want to live. And now when I look back upon that dark time, now that I’m alive, I thank God for forgiving me for trying to take something as precious as my life. He’s merciful.”
His Journey from Kidney Issues to Kidney Donation
After a year of battling complications from COVID-19, he eventually went into organ failure. Luckily, in 2021, his son, Chris donated his kidney to the rapper.
“COVID attacked my lungs first, and then it attacked my kidneys and knocked them out,”
Scarface told HipHop Wired. “I got full lung recovery, but my kidneys never came back … I’m still a little weak. I don’t have a lot of strength in my legs yet. I still haven’t got full taste back and sense of smell yet. But I am glad to be alive.”
Scarface’s son Chris Jordan took to Instagram to share the good news of his father’s successful surgery.
Rap-A-Lot founder J. Prince also shared a positive message updating fans about Face’s status, emphasizing how much his son Chris loves him.
“Congrats to my brother @brothermob & his son @_iamchrisjordan for giving his father one of his kidneys,” he wrote in the caption of the post. “I celebrate with the both of you for being an example of unending love. Chris, many people talk about how much they love your dad, but you have separated yourself from the talkers by your actions. We all salute the both of you and wish you both a speedy recovery.”
Chronic kidney disease, also called chronic kidney failure, involves a gradual loss of kidney function. Your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then removed in your urine. Advanced chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and wastes to build up in your body.
In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, you might have few signs or symptoms. You might not realize that you have kidney disease until the condition is advanced.
Could it be That his Donated Kidney is Failing?
According to the NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases, symptoms of kidney rejection after a transplant can include:
- Flu-like symptoms: Chills, body aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Fever: 101° F or higher
- Pain or tenderness: In the side or belly area, or around the transplant site
- Swelling: In the ankles
- Urination: Less than usual
- Weight gain: Sudden gain of more than 2–4 lbs in 24 hours
- Blood pressure: Very high blood pressure
- Fatigue: Feeling very tired
However, many people have no signs or symptoms of kidney rejection, and it can occur many years after the transplant. Mild rejection often doesn’t have symptoms, or isn’t detected in blood or urine tests. Regular clinic appointments are important because early signs of rejection are often picked up through blood tests.
80% of patients have good kidney functioning even after five years and around 40-50% up to 10 years. About 20% of the patients have a functioning graft at 20 years. If the transplant fails, a second transplant is possible and can be fully successful.
Could it Be Heart Failure?
Since it was mentioned that he was in the cardiovascular unit of the hospital, some speculate heart disease or heart failure.
Black men have a 70% higher risk of heart failure than white men, and Black adults are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for it. Black adults also spend longer in the hospital and are more likely to be admitted again within 90 days.
Black men have a 1.6-times higher risk of cardiovascular disease than white men. A University of Florida study found that 65% of African-American men over age 40 like Scarface are at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke within the next 10 years.