Earlier this week, we reported the disturbing story of Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated rapper Andre Johnson (AKA Christ Bearer) cutting off his own penis and jumping from a second story balcony in an apparent suicide attempt. Now, XXL has caught up with the crew's de facto leader, RZA, to ask him about his thoughts on the incident.
RZA, who produced Christ Bearer's group Northstar's 2003 debut album, Bobby Digital Presents: Northstar, said he felt confused and was sad for the rapper's family. Read what he had to say below.
“First of all, I just had seen him recently. He had got out of jail and [was] calling me. Christ Bearer is a part of the West Coast Killa Beez, a bunch of young guys that was signed to our company 10 years ago. Wu-Tang, we’re from the East Coast. But we did invest in some young guys to try and help any hood. He was a guy from the hood that we gave a shot. I don’t make music with him nowadays. But the story—what he did—is incredible. That shit sound mythical.
I feel sad for his family first and foremost; I know he has children. I thought he was a smarter guy than a guy who would do something crazy like that. But at the same time, he been in jail recently, he’s been in trouble. Maybe he’s mentally unstable. Maybe the mental health system should have took a look at him and said, ‘You know what? We got to hold on to this guy for a little longer.’ Because it’s not any sanity; even if you high, this shit don’t sound sane. This sounds more than high. It sound like mental problems or something that was bothering this man’s mind, and he needed help. It’s sad. I send my respect out to his family.
Christ Bearer is a tragic story, because it’s still the same situation: a guy we gave a chance to. If I remember that deal back in the day, I remember they signed for, like, $150,000, a record deal from some young guys from Long Beach, Cali. He had a partner named Meko. I liked those guys. I liked what they stood for, young guys trying. I can’t wait to really hear the whole story. It’s sad that it’s Wu-Tang affiliated. It’s like dirty press in a way. I want to know what the fuck moved him to do those things.”