California emcee Chemo Kid may not have earned his stripes at lunchroom battles or concert stages. But as a cancer survivor who pushed mixtapes from his hospital bed, his tale of struggle and perseverance is as inspiring as any rapper’s rags-to-riches story.
Chemo Kid grew up in Queens, NYC with a musically-inclined family. Both of his parents were the children of musicians, while his mother played clarinet and his father was a dedicated jazz aficionado who led music appreciation nights with the family every Friday. But Chemo Kid’s mother battled alcoholism, forcing his sister to serve as a mother figure by bathing him and clothing him while their dad was at work.
“My mother was an alcoholic, but she was a disciplinary, and I learned a lot from her,” Chemo Kid says. “How to be a strong person and how to be a leader and not a follower.”
These traits would become essential in 2005, when the then 21-year-old was diagnosed with cancer. For the next two years, he would earn his moniker through chemotherapy, a intense treatment method that uses chemicals to destroy cancerous cells. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (a rare cancer). Battling off and on with the disease for the past four years, he endured countless treatments of Chemotherapy, Spinal Taps, Bone Marrow Biopsies and several other tests. Late summer of 2006, he underwent an “Auto Bone Marrow Transplant” that would hold off the cancer for several months, but not catch it. The Chemo Kid once again went through a series of therapies and surgeries throughout 2007-2008, while waiting to receive a “Donor Bone Marrow Transplant”. Being half African-American and half Italian-American, chances of a donor were slim, but thankfully, he had his sister, Gabriella Goodman, as a perfect match. During the last stages of testing, The Chemo Kid and his family were hit with another devastating blow, discovering his sister’s test showed she also had a rare bone cancer called Multiple Myloma. Now this time not only he, but also his sister, had to suck it up and face the disease without fear. Luckily, there was a perfect match for The Chemo Kid and he underwent the transplant, but unfortunately the transplant did not help either and he is currently fighting for his life against what are seemingly insurmountable odds.
DOWNLOAD: The Chemo Kid – The Remission | Alt Link
any links to his work would be great
Justin Herschel said this on December 29th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
pretty inspiring stuff right here
keep doin your thing Chemo Kid
AKidAtTheBar said this on December 29th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
FOLLOW.YOUR.DREAMS
the third ear said this on December 29th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Respect to The Chemo Kid, definitely got talent, and even though I’m saddened to hear about your battles with illness, you are inspiring and your music will stay playing in my headphones. May God be with you & we’11 keep you in our prayers
AI4 said this on December 29th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
adfa
adfas said this on December 29th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
inspiring story, but this dude isn’t really that good at rapping. wouldn’t have anything hip hop wise without the cancer gimmick. as bad as that sounds ha…
factormax said this on December 29th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Don’t think you can call Cancer a “gimmick”. Just sayin…
illMattic said this on December 29th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
inspiring story, but this dude isn’t really that good at rapping. wouldn’t have anything hip hop wise without the cancer gimmick. as bad as that sounds h
Gotta agree
j4prez said this on December 29th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Only some assholes/hating ass niggas mad that their music aint getting posted on the site would say something like that..kill yourself..literally..keep doing your thing Chemo!Much Respect..God Bless you
-Paint The Sky,Blew!!!
SkyBlew said this on December 29th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
@SkyBlew,
Not necessarily. If you have Cancer does that make you exempt from critique? I have to like your music cuz you have Cancer? I didn’t even listen to dude’s music so no disrespect, I’m just sayin…
Clint Partie said this on December 29th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
Hes a good dude but after seeing him perform live and listening to his music he really doesnt have much going for him other than his illness. Glad he inspires people tho
P. said this on December 29th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
@Justin Herschel
he’s gotta mixtape on datpiff called “survivor ambition the mixtape”
this is some real moving shit. he’s pretty dope as an artist. thanks Shake for posting this.
vp said this on December 30th, 2010 at 12:23 am
inspiring stuff for sure. keep doing your thing homey
Berp Willie said this on December 30th, 2010 at 6:59 am
um if your name is CHEMO KID…i’m sure that falls into gimmick category
nochemo said this on December 30th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
he passed this morning…RIP Chemo Kid
Kris said this on December 30th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
RIP CHEMO KID he passed today. think what you will about the brotha, i know i did, but i still worked wit him, wish i did more in the end…i could never deny his drive, hip hop kept him alive this long, he was in out of the hospital the whole time he was grinding…in the end i can only say he stayed humble & professional in all our encounters, he knew he was a baby in this shit, but had to follow his dreams, one love gino you will be missed
drendoh said this on December 30th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Rhyme In Peace, Gino!!!!
Shawnice said this on January 3rd, 2011 at 1:07 pm