5 Artists who have Dealt with Sickle Cell Anemia

A light is shining on the struggles of sickle cell anemia since the passing of Prodigy last week. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells to become misshapen and break down. We’ve compiled a list of well known artists that have dealt with the awful disease themselves.

Miles Davis

The well known jazz musician died from health problems related to the disease on September 28th 1991. Miles was one of the most influential figures in jazz music history.

Tione Watkins

Tione “T-Boz” Watkins was one of the members of the legendary group TLC. She’s still living with sickle cell anemia, and putting effort into helping others with the disease by donating to foundations. She became a spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America in 1996.

Paul Williams

Paul Williams was a member of the lead Motown group The Temptations. He retired in 1971 due to health problems and was found dead two years later from apparent suicide.

Georgeanna Tillman

Georgeanna Tillman was an original member of the Motown girl group The Marvelettes. Diagnosed with sickle cell anemia during childhood, she was also diagnosed with lupus later in life. She died at the age of 35 in 1980.

Albert Johnson “Prodigy”

Prodigy was an American rapper and half of the Hip Hop duo Mobb Deep. The rapper openly struggled with sickle cell anemia and was committed to the hospital for health problems last week. While his main cause of death is still unknown, he died on June 20th, 2017.