Kool Herc Speaks Out, “This Has Been Going On Too D*mn Long!”

Written By S. Samuel

Hip-hop pioneer DJ Kool Herc has publicly stated his views on health care just days after making headlines for being hospitalized with kidney stones complications.

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Speaking via statement, Herc stressed the importance of health care awareness for all people.

“We live in one of the superpowers of the world!” Herc said in a statement to MTV News on Tuesday (February 1). ” ‘Give me your tired, your poor … ‘ and then you don’t take care of them? There should be no weak ants in the colony. There shouldn’t be anyone fighting for health care! This has been going on too damn long! We fought for 1520 Sedgwick to get landmark status, and in 2007, New York State officially recognized it as the ‘Birthplace of Hip Hop’. Now we are fighting for health care not just for me, but for everyone. I see this situation as another quest for me to shine light on a sensitive issue for the community. I’m an instrument of God. I’m here for a purpose and I want to be here for the solution.” (MTV)

After revealing Herc’s weekend hospital stay was due to his kidneys, the legend’s sister, Cindy Campbell, talked about health care awareness.

Fans, promoters and D.J.’s have rallied to Herc’s side, vowing to raise funds to help him pay his bills. In the meantime, Ms. Campbell said, her brother was at home and taking painkillers to alleviate the discomfort. The larger issue, she said, was how Herc’s generation of graying rappers and D.J.’s would cope with the medical issues bound to come their way. “There isn’t any type of medical program for these artists,” she said. “Maybe it takes a visible person like Herc for people to pay attention. Maybe we can help set something up. My brother and I were trailblazers. We tried to save the building. Now we’re going to advocate for plenty of other artists and have a program to assist them.” (New York Times)

In 2009, Kid Cudi spoke to SOHH about receiving insurance via the Screen Actors Guild.

“I just got health insurance through SAG, because I’m a member of SAG through the HBO show,” Cudi revealed referring to “How To Make It In America.” “So I definitely got really excited because I was one of those people coming up where you had to let go and just ride out. I had no money to go to the doctor, it was hard for me to get medicine and stuff like that. At this day and age, everything is kinda like bugged out and messed up, you know with the recession [because it] is still very much [here] so I really don’t have any strong beliefs on that stuff, really.” (SOHH)

Juvenile previously admitted to not having an up-to-date health care plan.

“Nah, I don’t have health care,” Juvenile revealed. “I think it’s needed for a lot of people. I’m really not up on the politics of health care and what’s going on. But I think, whatever it is, a lot of people really need help on health care, especially senior citizens and those who are unable to pay. There were a lot of promises made to a lot of those people so I’m just hoping they come up with a plan or a bill and make sure it’s effective quick enough to help the people out that are struggling ’cause you know, that’s a major problem…Yeah, you go [to the doctor] and they send a bill to you and that’s basically it.” (SOHH)

Check out Juvenile speaking to SOHH about health care reform below:

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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