Bushwick Bill, of the legendary Houston rap group the Geto Boys, revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
The news came as a complete shock to the rapper because he’s previously undergone testing for a mass on his pancreas, but doctors said it was benign. In fact, it wasn’t until the cancer was advanced before they knew what Bill actually had.
“It’s crazy,” he said in an interview with TMZ. “Pancreatic cancer is undetected until its in the fourth or fifth stage.”
Bill also said he’s been keeping the diagnoses to himself and has only told close family members. Up until the interview, he hadn’t broken the news to Scarface or Willie D, his Geto Boys group members but plans to do so soon.
The Jamaica born rapper also explained that he decided to go public with his illness, because keeping it to himself isn’t helping him.
Elsewhere in the interview, the 52-year-old said he isn’t afraid of death and feels that he’s already died and returned, which he spoke about in his 1992 song “Ever So Clear.”
Bill is currently undergoing intense chemotherapy treatment, and at this point it’s too early to gauge how his body will respond.
But in the meantime, he encouraged everyone to pay strict attention to their personal health, so they can be around for their loved ones and fulfill future goals.
“I just want people to be aware so when they set dreams and goals, they’re healthy enough to fulfill and live,” Bill explained.
And while he’s battling to rid himself of the disease, Bill revealed that he’s working on three new albums and possibly a book, plus, a documentary. The main goal at this point, he said, is to leave something behind for his children.
Since other people own the publishing to his older music, the new album is his way of taking control over future monies coming in. “I want to know for sure I did my part,” Bill explained.
People have been posting well-wishes for the rapper ever since the interviewed aired, and they’ve also let him know just how they feel about him.
” You are my favorite and I’m rooting and praying for you,” someone wrote.
“You will beat this General. we’re in your corner.. đ,” another person commented.
