Local hip hop artist, Terror MC, rushed to release his latest single this week because he isn’t sure how much longer he has to live.
On 20 September, the rapper, real name Nazeer Abdol, shocked the music industry when he announced on social media that he has cancer.
The 36-year-old posted: “I am diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (klier kanker).”
The post instantly drew well wishes and messages of support from fellow hip hop stars Ready D, Emile YX? and DJ Azuhl, among others.
Nazeer released Is jy Ready digitally on Monday, 27 September.
The new track’s lyrics include the lines: “Is jy ready vir die force wat jou gaan awaken… is jy wakker kyk’ie broer, is jy wakker.”
Nazeer says the lyrics were written before he received his cancer results, giving it a whole new meaning.
He explains how he discovered he was sick: “I have been feeling under the weather since last year, thinking I have a boil under my arm which caused the pain.
“I went to the day hospital and got medication and thought I was healed because the meds helped the pain stop.
“But then over a week ago, I got a lump in my neck. I was sent to Tygerberg Hospital for a biopsy and that’s when I got the results – Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
“I accepted what came on my path and while I was going through all this hospital stuff, I was busy working on my fourth album, so I thought I’d drop a single in this time because life is fast and I want to leave by leaving something behind – music that I love, so it would have sentimental value for my fans.”
The Ravensmead rapper has previously released three albums including Street Life, The Bio and Fear, which are available on all digital platforms.
His music focuses on the social ills on the Cape Flats.
“I was born in a broken home so most of the things I absorb is violence, crime, abuse and drug use.
“Everything that is surrounding me I write about because I write what I see and feel.”