Dres (Black Sheep) Speaks on Kool Herc Situation, Calls It ‘Embarrassing’

Written by Tyler Hakes. Published: .

The legendary MC speaks out on the importance of helping the grandfather of hip hop.

In a brief interview on SiriusXM Backspin’s recent Hip Hop For Herc event, Black Sheep’s Dres spoke out about the situation surrounding Kool Herc’s recent medical problems, calling the hip hop community’s response, “embarrassing.”

“How dare us have these affluent careers that we all stand on today and look down on the world from and not make sure that this man is sincerely taken care of,” Dres said, speaking of Kool Herc’s poor health. “It’s embarrassing.”

Dres affirmed his commitment to ensuring that Kool Herc receive any resources he needs, saying that he’ll go to any artist or business-person in the hip hop world personally to encourage their support.

“It doesn’t make a different who you are, I will ask from Puffy, to Jay-Z, to 50 [Cent], to whoever” Dres stressed. “What are we doing for this man?”

DJ Premier announced in January that DJ Kool Herc, who is known as the pioneer of modern hip hop music and culture, was recently hospitalized and is without health insurance to cover the cost of care. Following the announcement, many members of the hip hop community called for fans, artists and business-people alike to extend their gratitude for Herc’s role in the founding of hip hop culture by offering whatever assistance they could afford.

Since then, many people have looked specifically to some of rap’s richest stars — such as Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Diddy and Russel Simmons — to bolster significant personal contributions on Herc’s behalf.

Dres spoke as part of an awareness-raising broadcast on SiriusXM’s Backspin, which was hosted by Chuck D of Public Enemy.

There have been no recent updates on Kool Herc’s current medical status, although there has been a large response from many in the hip hop community that are committed to helping him deal with his spiraling medical bills.

Donations to help cover Kool Herc’s medical bills are currently being accepted via Paypal on DJKoolHerc.com.

Category: Culture