Boosie Badazz – “Cancer” Video

When Kanye West’s “Real Friends” commenced the return of G.O.O.D Fridays and took over the end of last week, it was nice to have the weekend to process. But after sitting with it for a minute, it’s hard not to notice how much that song is about wealthy/celebrity problems. Not to say those difficulties aren’t valid, but when you come across more grave struggles, the too-busy and too-important raps suddenly seem trivial.

For instance, rap’s great survivor Boosie Badazz just released a sobering reminder of just how bleak life can be in his In My Feelings (Goin’ Thru It) LP. One of the more harrowing tracks on a deeply visceral project is candidly titled “Cancer,” and the New Orleans rapper has matched it with a set of visuals that are gloomy but uplifting. The song opens with Boosie recounting how he received the news of his kidney cancer diagnosis, and similarly the self-directed video opens with a lingering drive-by shot of the University of Texas’ MD Anderson Center where Boosie received treatment and the image of Boosie lying in a hospital bed. Because he underwent a successful operation to remove the malignant tumor, the video inspires hope, especially the shots of Boosie with his children and other loved ones that will not have to cope with his passing as soon as expected. This video will make you reassess what you complained about this morning.