Geto Boys' Bushwick Bill Is Fighting Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

BY Erika Marie 19.3K Views
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Geto Boys
Prayers up for the rap legend.

We're saddened to report that Bushwick Bill, one of the members of the iconic rap group the Geto Boys, is facing the fight of his life as he squares up against a cancer diagnosis. The 52-year-old shared with TMZ that he was first told of his disease back in February and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments, but that isn't slowing him down from working to make sure that he continues to build on his already solid legacy for his children.

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"We see a mass on your pancreas and we can't understand because it's not alcohol, it's not sugar, it's not diabetes," he said as he recalled what his doctors initially told him. "They went through all kinds of stuff. And finally, by February 8, it was stage 4 pancreatitis cancer...I've been getting tested and they said it was a mass and they said it was benign. Does benign mean it could be cancer?" he said he asked the specialists. "And he was like, 'It's just a mass with no purpose.' It was just crazy to find out that pancreatic cancer is undetected until it's in the fourth or fifth stage."

"I've been keeping it to myself but I'm getting ready to tell Scarface and Willie D. I've only told close family members, that's about it. I figure keeping it to myself is not really helping nobody. It's not like I'm afraid of dying because if anyone knows anything about me from "Ever So Clear," I've died and came back already in June 1991 so I know what it's like on the other side so that's not what it's really about. It's about life and loving life and being there for family. Not just starting a dream or getting married or getting your first house and then finding out you've got pancreatic cancer. You can't even live out the rest of your dream."

"I just want people to be aware that when they set dreams and goals, they're healthy enough to fulfill and live." He's also working on various new projects to line up for release for when he passes away, whenever that time might be. "The reason why I'm doing three albums right now is because I notice when most celebrities pass, they really don't have nothing set up for their children and everything's in disarray. So, I figure old music will sell, yes, but if I have new music for them and I have a book and I have a documentary and I have any other endeavors that I get into now, at least they'll have residual income from those things instead of just knowing that I'm their dad and my old records are selling. I'd rather just know for sure that I did my part."


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.