logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2018
32m 25s

Stuck Off The Realness

NPR
About this episode
Prodigy made up half of the hugely influential hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, but spent his life in excruciating pain due to a debilitating disease called sickle cell anemia. On this episode, the hosts of WNYC's The Realness podcast chronicle Prodigy's struggle with the disease, share the story of how the disease was discovered, and explain how black revolutionaries pressed their communities (and the President of the United States) to do something about it.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy
Up next
Yesterday
The white woman tears of Elizabeth Holmes
The new documentary ‘You Can See Everything’ has left audiences wondering how the line between fact and fiction is drawn, and who gets to draw it. At the center of the discourse is the film’s subject, convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes, and its co-director, comedian Nathan Fiel ... Show More
28m 9s
Nov 6
Julio Torres wants more time (and five clones)
Comedian Julio Torres has made a career out of seeing the whimsical in the mundane, from the hidden meanings of shapes, colors, to the bureaucracy of the United States immigration system. Yet, he still feels like he's running out of time to make the art he wants to. This week, Ju ... Show More
25m 28s
Nov 3
Who gets to joke about Israel? (feat. Ilana Glazer & Gianmarco Soresi)
Being a Jewish comic who criticizes Israel right now means getting it from all sides. Ilana Glazer and Gianmarco Soresi talk to Gene about being called self-hating, getting accused of faking being Jewish, and watching gigs dry up. As comedy has become more intertwined with politi ... Show More
34m 27s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2018
Episode 2: T'Chaka
As a kid with sickle cell anemia, Prodigy was told he'd barely make it to adulthood. The work of doctors, athletes, Hollywood stars and The Black Panthers help transform his fate. But what kind of life would he lead? Explore More: ... Keith Wailoo, one of our interview subjects f ... Show More
29m 30s
Jul 2018
Introducing The Realness: The Untold story of Albert “Prodigy” Johnson
When the rapper Prodigy suffered a sickle cell crisis after a Las Vegas concert in 2017, his friends didn’t think much of it at first: they were used to him getting sick. But a few days later, he died. The Realness goes behind Prodigy’s music to reveal his lifelong struggle again ... Show More
3m 55s
Nov 2021
Autopsy: The Last Hours of… Mobb Deep’s Prodigy
In 2017 rap legend Prodigy unexpectedly died in a Las Vegas hospital. The 42 year old had famously battled sickle cell anemia since birth; the pain of which helped him mold the signature hard core rap sound that propelled him to fame. But shortly after his passing, rumors emerged ... Show More
46m 27s
Jul 2018
Episode 1: This Sunny Day Right Here
Prodigy and Havoc first begin laying down rhymes together in high school. When their first album flops, they come up with a new sound that's directly influenced by P's sickle cell, and it helps defines a generation of hip hop. Plus: Big Twins talks about the sickle cell attack he ... Show More
30m 16s
Jul 2018
Episode 3: Son, They Shook
Someone is shot inside Def Jam. A rap star chases Mobb Deep through Lower Manhattan. And Prodigy convinces a hip hop mogul to sneak weapons into one of New York's most decadent nightclubs. Mobb Deep came up in rap’s golden age. No other group defined the era quite like the duo fr ... Show More
23m 7s
Apr 2023
Living Your Life Podcast
Kier's new podcast featured Earthquake and the two talked about overcoming challenges in his career.  Your favorite play cousin was also shocked to know that Earthquake even has a family member with sickle cell. Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See o ... Show More
3m 20s
Mar 2024
The Lifesaving Power of Blood Donations - 396 Feat. Stevo The Madman
<p>In this episode Stevo and the guys shed light on the crucial need for blood donations to support individuals with sickle cell, particularly within the black community. Sickle cell, a severe and lifelong health condition that predominantly affects people of African and Caribbea ... Show More
24m 47s
Sep 2021
BTS | EP.58 - “MY GENOTYPE IS SS...WHAT’S YOURS?” FT. HERSICKLED JOURNEY
Welcome to the 58th Behind The Scenes episode. Incase you aren’t aware, September is Sickle Awareness Month and we of course had to discuss the disease that affects black people the most and hope that as you listen, you will take something away from it. We were joined by the love ... Show More
1h 24m
Sep 2020
Confronting Mental Illness
<p>Jada reveals her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. Grammy-winning rapper <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kidcudi/?__tn__=kK-R">Kid Cudi</a> joins the Table and talks about his mental health problems and battle with addiction.</p><p><br></p><p>If you or someone ... Show More
23m 23s