Slim Thug, born Stayve Thomas, is a relatively healthy being. His daily regimen includes three-mile runs and keeping his diet in tip-top shape. Since he was 27, the rapper has battled high blood pressure and switched up his lifestyle for the better. Thirteen years later, the Houston native is hip to holistic methods like oregano oil to lower cholesterol levels, spirulina to reduce blood pressure and absorbing good vibes only.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported 1,303 people in the state have tested positive for novel coronavirus, one being Thug. The rapper and businessman was slighted after learning of his positive diagnosis on Tuesday (March 24).
Thug fell ill with a headache and a slight fever after running errands last week. While his symptoms were mild, his doctor provided him with a 24-hour test that confirmed it all. “Some people think I’m making it up,” he tells VIBE over the phone Thursday (March 26). “Some people think I’m working for somebody, it’s crazy.”
As conspiracy theories permeate through social media, the 39-year-old is focused on keeping fans informed about the virus. His social distancing wasn’t the best as he got a haircut a week before he was diagnosed, which is why he’s firm on it today. “It’s real and people should take it seriously,” he said. “Especially for young people. You could pass it on, it could be deadly to somebody you love. You have to be a human and say, ‘I have to protect others by not being reckless.'”
This hasn’t changed Thug’s plans to release his forthcoming album, Thug Life, Friday (March 27). The veteran rapper who dropped classics like, “I Ain’t Heard of That” and guest verses on Mike Jones’ “Still Tippin,” and Beyonce’s “Check on It” wants his new music to be a safe haven for the times.
Released last week, his single, “This World” highlights today’s ups and downs, with a telling sample from the late Charles Bradley.
The silver lining continues to glisten for the rapper. After sharing his diagnosis with fans, many began sharing black-owned businesses that specialize in holistic medicine. They include Soul Food Vegan and natural herbs from Jinka Premium.
In our conversation below, Slim Thug highlights the importance of social distancing, why rappers should stay connected to their fans and how the late Tupac Shakur inspired his new album, Thug Life.
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VIBE: How have you been coping with this? Take me back to your initial thoughts when you found out all of this was happening.
Slim Thug: I was definitely surprised because I was trying to be precautious way earlier than a lot of people. I started to feel a headache and a fever and I’ve never had those symptoms so I thought, ‘Man this Corona time, it’s got to be something.’ But at the end of the day, I haven’t felt severe sickness or nothing.
I have high blood pressure, I already do this. I run three miles at the park and go to the gym every day, so I’m pretty healthy. You know, I never felt like I wouldn’t be able to fight this off, I never really felt really sick or crazy sick, just kind of felt like a sinus infection.
With you being a healthy person, what has this told you about the virus?
It’s serious and it can be deadly, but at the end of the day, if you’re young and healthy and don’t have any other underlying conditions, then you should be able to fight it off. My doctor shared how the only thing you can do is stay home and let it run its course. He said to drink a high volume of fluids like vitamin c to keep your immune system up.
Have you ever been interested in holistic practices?
I believe in medicine, I’m not gonna lie if I need a Z-Pack, I’m gonna get it (Laughs). But there’s a lot of people around me who shared some things. I’m on a lot of herbs right now. They done gave me all types of kits and stuff that I posted on Instagram. I’ve been on oregano oil, black seed oil, and it’s working. I’m trying everything from boiling orange peels to elderberry. I’m trying to stay on it, I feel good. I go outside and post up in the sun and try to drink hot tea during the day.
Hip-hop artists haven’t said too much about the virus, but some are engaging more with fans on social media. What else do you think your peers can do with their influence during these times?
If you’re a rapper, you should be taking advantage of this time and giving content out to the world as much as possible. I’ve seen so many different artists be creative. Look at DJ D-Nice. About a year ago, I started spinning. I’m not really a DJ, I’m just having fun. But for D-Nice to have 150,000 people on his Live? You would never go to a club and DJ for that many people or never “see” Oprah and all of them. It’s a whole new wave, a whole new world we’re stepping into. You’re reaching over 150,000 people and this is elite people at the same time.
It’s inspired all the real DJs to get on. I’m seeing DJs from Houston like Mr. Rodgers spin for 12 hours straight and he had the whole city in his Live. We were all just in the comments, it’s crazy, but it’s amazing though because you have thousands there and you won’t see that many people in a real club.
It’s a new experience, so you have to be creative with it. My album Thug Life is out today [March 27th], but I’ve hosted a live listening on my Instagram. It was inspired by [2]Pac. Back in the day, he had a project called Thug Life and with Slim Thug being my name, I just had to use it.
I even saw Swae Lee [of rap duo Rae Sremmurd] do a whole concert. You just got to be engaged with your people and they will appreciate that because everyone is sitting at home bored with nothing to do. If they’re busy now, they will have time to tune in later. All artists should be taking advantage of this moment, stay at home and give the people as much content as they can watch because they all want to see something right now.
What do you think it is about music that has people wanting it more than ever?
Music is just therapy to your body and soul. Whenever I’m stressed out, I got a playlist for that. I got a playlist for anything and any mood I need to be in. Music is very important because of a lot of Black people/minorities, don’t go to therapy, they don’t have a lot of access to resources that can help ease stress.
A lot of the times, a good song can do that for you, it can make you feel good. All of that. So it’s very important. I feel like my content is good for these times. I have a song called “This World” that’s about real-life stuff. I got a record with [veteran Houston rapper] Z-Ro I’m finna drop that’s like a gospel song to me. When I hear it, it just takes me there and I think people are going to feel the same.
Lastly, you mentioned you’re getting into DJing. If you were to throw a Quarantine Party, what are the Top 5 records you have to play no matter what?
At my Quarantine Party, it’s going to be the real playing. I’ve done a few mixes for the last ten days. I would say the go-to records are 90s R&B. It’s just therapeutic feel-good music.
Hearing people singing really calms you down. Jodeci, Babyface, all of it. Guy, Keith Sweat. If you want to turn up and take it what’s good now, Travis Scott is perfect to get lit to.
For those who want the real throwback rap, you might want to hear some Tupac. There’s something for everybody, whatever you like, there’s a playlist that will put you in a great mood and I think everyone should tap into that for real, it’s real therapy.