As we approach Lymphoma Awareness Day, long-standing hip-hop artist, LYRICS BORN, is sharing his family’s own hardships and experiences with a cancer diagnosis. In his most difficult and personal track yet, “Can’t Lose My Joy”, he tells the story of his wife Joyo Velarde’s battle with lymphoma and the pain, frustration, and ultimately hope that carried them from the start to present day.
“Unfortunately, one in three Americans are living with cancer, and my family is no different,” says Lyrics Born. “We kept my wife, Joyo Velarde’s 15 year battle with non-hodgkins lymphoma a secret from the public until now. ‘Can’t Lose My Joy’ (f/Aloe Blacc) chronicles her being diagnosed at a time when we were working, touring, recording artists with our careers just beginning to blossom. In the spirit of National Lymphoma Awareness month & day, we hope this song from my forthcoming album Quite A Life, inspires you to keep pushing and staying optimistic. There is always hope.”
Listen to “Can’t Lose My Joy” Here:
The track was recorded with good friend Aloe Blacc who helped Lyrics Born through the strenuous process of putting the emotions to song, “This was by far the hardest song I’ve ever written in my career. I had a very hard time opening up about the concept with Aloe Blacc, and when he sent me the chorus he wrote and recorded, I just cried. He captured my feelings so accurately, it floored me.”
Lyrics Born continues, “We are blessed to be in remission now, but with that demon looming, you are never totally at ease in life. Seeing it through successfully gives you the confidence that no obstacle is insurmountable when you have spiritual grounding, love and support from the people that matter to you. If nothing else, that is what I want people to take away from this song. Hope.”
“Can’t Lose My Joy” is a track off of Lyrics Born’s upcoming album Quite A Life, out this Friday September 14, 2018 on Mobile Home Recordings. The album features Aloe Blacc, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, and many more.
TOUR DATES
Sep 14 Moroccan Lounge Los Angeles CA
Sep 15 Cornerstone Berkeley CA
Sep 20 Bossanova Ballroom Portland OR
Sep 21 Nectar Lounge Seattle WA
Sep 22 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver BC
Sep 23 Wild Buffalo Bellingham WA
Sep 25 Craggy Range Whitefish MT
Sep 26 Top Hat Lounge Missoula MT
Sep 28 Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins CO
Sep 29 Cervantes’ Other Side Denver CO
Oct 6 Wildcraft Cider Works Eugene, OR
Nov 2 MilkBoy Philadelphia PA
Nov 3 Mercury Lounge New York NY
Nov 4 Asbury Lanes Asbury Park NJ
Nov 6 Union Stage Washington, DC
Nov 7 Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill Roanoke, VA
Nov 8 Asheville Music Hall Asheville NC
Nov 9 Motorco Music Hall Durham NC
Nov 10 Venkman’s Atlanta GA
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