In the wake of Mac Miller’s untimely death from an apparent drug overdose last Friday (Sept. 7), there has been a resurgence in the conversation regarding mental health and addiction. Bow Wow, who has been extremely vocal on social media this year, is the latest hip-hop artist to speak on the matter. In a series of tweets on Twitter on Monday (Sept. 10), the rapper revealed his own battle with lean addiction and the struggle to get sober.
Bow Wow revealed he was high off lean when he recorded his hit 2007 record with Omarion Face Off. “I was high off lean every day,” he admitted. “When yall saw me on BET going off on torae i was high off lean. My attitude everything changed. My fans started to…Turn on me my family too.”
He revealed his drug use continued and even increased when he went on the UCP Tour with Chris Brown, using “at least seven times a day.” It only stopped after was sent to the hospital in Cincinnati. “I came off stg and passed out woke up in the hospital i was having withdraws,” he recalled. “I never felt a pain like that ever. It was summer but i was walking round with 3 hoodies on because i was so cold. I missed the Chicago show of that tour Baltimore show BECAUSE I WAS F**KING HIGH AND SICK!!!! that s**t is not cool and i was doing it to be cool!”
To the youth- Stop with these dumb ass drugs. Im going to let something out. When me and omarion worked on FACE OFF album. I was high off lean everyday! When yall saw me on BET going off on torae i was high off lean. My attitude everything changed. My fans started to…
— Bow Wow (@smoss) September 10, 2018
Turn on me my family too. I never promoted lean in my songs. The whole time i was on the UCP tour with chris I WAS SIPPING 4’s atleast 7 times a day. I was addicted until our show in Cincinnati.. i came off stg and passed out woke up in the hospital i was having withdraws
— Bow Wow (@smoss) September 10, 2018
I never felt a pain like that ever. It was summer but i was walking round with 3 hoodies on because i was so cold. I missed the chicago show of that tour baltimore show BECAUSE I WAS FUCKING HIGH AND SICK!!!! that shit is not cool and i was doing it to be cool!
— Bow Wow (@smoss) September 10, 2018
Bow Wow revealed his truth in an attempt to urge the youth to stay away from drugs. “Kick that sh**,” he urged. “Be a good son or daughter. Be the best you. Ima start being more vocal. We gotta save the youth from going out early. Parents watch your kids. Explain to them. We want yall to live man. I almost died f**king with syrup.”
He continued: “DRUG FREE IS THE WAY TO BE! Smarten up tighten up out here. We cant lose no more of you. Not one! I love all yall.”
In the past year, Bow Wow has been very vocal about his struggles with mental health and drug use. He is one of many who have spoken in light of Mac’s recent tragedy. He follows behind artists like J. Cole, Joe Budden, and more.
Check out Bow Wow’s full statement here.
Kick that shit! Be a good son or daughter. Be the best you. Ima start being more vocal. We gotta save the youth from going out early. Parents watch your kids. Explain to them. We want yall to live man. I almost died fucking with syrup. To this day im affected my stomach will
— Bow Wow (@smoss) September 10, 2018
Never be the same and it hasnt been. DRUG FREE IS THE WAY TO BE! smarten up tighten up out here. We cant lose no more of you. Not one! I love all yall. The young artist all the kids around the world.. dont follow a trend. Break the cycle. PEACE
— Bow Wow (@smoss) September 10, 2018
Go back and watch the face off show BET gave us! Look how dumb i looked. My ranting i was angry every day. They try to protect the truth by saying i was dehydrated… nawww bro. I WAS HIGH OFF PROMETHAZINE CODEINE! Actavis. SAY NO TO THESE DRUGS
— Bow Wow (@smoss) September 10, 2018
READ MORE: Hip-Hop Has An Opioid Problem, And It’s Time People Cared