Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty. Inset: Juice Wrld/instagram
The late rapper’s mother,Carmela Wallace, has shared a moving letter to her son on Tuesday — which would have been his 23rd birthday.
“When you were born 23 years ago, I never expected that you would not be here today celebrating your birthday,” Wallace wrote,perComplex.
“I would have tried to get as many birthday wishes in as possible like I always did on your birthday when we were together,” Wallace, who founded theLive Free 999 foundationin memory of her son, wrote.
“I promise to continue your message of healing and use Live Free 999 as an avenue to normalize the conversation around mental health and substance dependency and help those who suffer in silence,” she added in the emotional message.
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According to its website, Live Free 999’s mission “is to support programs that provide preventative measures and positive avenues” to those dealing with mental health and drug abuse issues.
The “Righteous” rapper diedon Dec. 8, 2019. The following month,Juice WRLD’s cause of deathwas revealed to have been an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine.
The rapper, born Jarad Anthony Higgins, often included lyrics about drug use in his music, a choice his mother explained was to try tolet listeners struggling with addiction know they aren’t alone.
Next week, Juice WRLD’s second posthumous Juice albumFighting Demonsis set to drop, with a single “Wandered to LA” featuringJustin Biebercoming this Friday.
Alongside theFighting Demonsalbum trailerreleased on YouTubelast month, Carmela and record label, Grade A, described the artist as “searingly honest about his struggles and through his musical genius he articulated what was on his heart and mind vividly through his art.”
“He never gave up and had many loved ones and friends around him who never gave up on offering their support to him. Today we announce that we will commemorate his upcoming birthday with a new album ‘Fighting Demons’ on Dec 10th.”
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“We encourage all of you who struggle with addiction and mental illness to never give up the fight,” the statement read. “We continue to extend free support to you via the fund created in his honor:LiveFree999.org”
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
