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
Apr 25
In college admission, trauma is shorthand for Blackness
At most elite colleges and universities, affirmative action is a thing of the past. But admissions offices are still interested in building racially diverse incoming classes — which can mean looking at students' essays to help determine their background. In those essays, Black st ... Show More
27m 32s
Apr 22
Hate it or love it, is DEI a distraction?
The Trump administration has been very candid about their disdain for all things DEI. But it's not just conservatives who have critiques. On this episode, we're talking to Jennifer C. Pan, author of Selling Social Justice: Why the Rich Love Antiracism, about why she thinks people ... Show More
35m 2s
Apr 18
Is the U.S. 'empire' beginning to show cracks?
The Trump administration's recent military actions have had certain observers asking... are we going full empire? But Daniel Immerwahr, a historian and the author of How to Hide an Empire, argues that the U.S. has engaged in empire building for hundreds of years — we've just been ... Show More
28m 51s
Recommended Episodes
May 2021
Le Syndrome K, l'épidémie qui a sauvé des vies
<p>Pendant la guerre, un hôpital de Rome s'est retrouvé submergé par une maladie inconnue et très contagieuse appelée "Syndrome K". Incroyable mais vrai, cette épidémie a sauvé de nombreuses vies ! Cet épisode est une rediffusion du podcast <a href="https://studiobiloba.fr/perles ... Show More
6m 9s
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
Jun 2020
6. KSI
In Grounded with Louis Theroux, Louis is using the lockdown to track down some high-profile people he’s been longing to talk to – a fascinating mix of the celebrated, the controversial and the mysterious.In this episode, Louis speaks to YouTube star, rapper and boxer, KSI. They d ... Show More
1h 1m
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
Sep 2020
From Lagos to DC
This week, hosts Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa take a break from their historical deep dives to bring you the latest Hip Hop milestones, singles and music videos from this week and discuss their connections to current events and policy, from the late Eazy-E's birthday, early death ... Show More
39m 38s
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
May 2024
From Daring Dreams to Digestive Drama - Crohn's Disease
This week is all about 4 things. Ambition, Resiliency, Adventure and Poop! Our guest Bradley lives with Crohn's disease and despite facing huge health challenges (including a horrific and lengthy hospital admission) he’s done some wildly impressive things. Bradley crossed the Sah ... Show More
1h 24m
Apr 2020
Bonus: Stephanie Wittels Wachs, host of “Last Day” on storytelling in the time of Coronavirus
<p>In this special bonus episode, Dani speaks with Stephanie Wittels Wachs, actress, activist, and co-host of the hit podcast Last Day, which shines a light on the real human stories behind epidemics we usually only think about in terms of their staggering — yet seemingly abstrac ... Show More
46m 18s
Nov 2023
The Infected Blood Scandal
In the 1970s and '80s, thousands of haemophiliacs in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through blood products known to be contaminated. In a recent piece, Florence Sutcliffe-Braithewaite outlines the magnitude of the scandal, exacerbated by carelessness, corporate gre ... Show More
53m 54s