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Juice WRLD’s Mother: “My Biggest Fear Was Him Overdosing”
Juice WRLD did not keep it a secret that he was self-medicating to help him cope with the pain of his depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Throughout his musical career, the late Chicago rapper was open about his struggle with substance abuse, as well as addiction and more.
On “Wishing Well“, which appears on his posthumous studio album Legends Never Die, Juice WRLD sings: “If it wasn’t for the pills, I wouldn’t be here/But if I keep taking these pills, I won’t be here”. The line is a sad view of how the artist, whose real name was Jarad Higgins, saw his battle.
His mother, Carmella Wallace, has spoken freely about her son’s death, as well as his addiction issues. In a new interview for ABC 7 Chicago, she explains the purpose of the Live Free 999 organization, as well as the reason why she continues to remind people about Juice’s addiction.
“It was devastating, but one thing I decided early on was, I was not going to hide the fact that he died from a drug overdose,” said Carmella Wallace about her son’s death. “I didn’t want to keep that secret because a lot of people deal with that every day”.
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She says that she and Juice often spoke about his struggles with mental health. She even asked him to seek professional treatment instead of continuing to abuse pills.
“I said, ‘if you have anxiety, then you need to get medicated properly for it instead of medicating yourself,’” added Wallace. “I talked to him about it. I told him my biggest fear was him overdosing on the stuff. That’s why I made the decision I have to talk about it with other people. I can’t keep that as a secret.”
She goes on to say that, while Juice was a superstar in the eyes of his fans, to her, he was just Jarad.
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“Juice Wrld was an icon but Jarad was my son,” she said. “I didn’t treat him like a celebrity. In fact, the first time I saw him perform, it was in Chicago. I forget where, but I saw the crowd and I saw the girls and ‘take a selfie with me.’ He was pumped up. He was still living with me at the time and when he came home, I said, ‘take out the garbage,’ because I just wanted him to stay humble.”
As of late, a collaboration between Juice WRLD and XXXTentacion has been teased by DJ Scheme and Cleopatra Bernard, XXX’s mom. Ally Lotti, Juice’s girlfriend, stated on Twitter that she “doubts” it will ever come out though. Read more about that here.
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Kieran James Honors Memory with “Part of the Grind”
Singer-songwriter Kieran James delivers a devastating new single with “Part of the Grind,” a track to tackle the tangled emotions behind loss and memory. A love letter penned to a close friend who faced severe cognitive decline, the song’s emotional heft feels universal yet heartbreakingly personal.
Set to delicate instrumentation and achingly sung vocals, “Part of the Grind” is both a lament and an honoring, a means of remembering while addressing the unavoidable cost of time and illness. His voice floats, leaving room for silence and the long pauses that so often come with grief. But in that silence, there is warmth as well, a refusal to let memory be totally extinguished.
Resilience is also implied in the song’s title, a reminder that even in heartbreak, life goes on and holding the memory of someone stays with the rhythm of everyday living. it’s an anthem for anyone who has ever looked on witnessing decline, mixed sorrow with love.
In Kieran James’s “Part of the Grind,” we hear music as well as go behind it. He gives us room feel, to mourn, and to honor. In the process, he turns private pain into something achingly universal, a song for everyone who has either loved or lost.
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Esthy glows up with joy on new anthem “light it up”
In her latest song, “light it up,” singer-songwriter and producer Esthy from LA brings a vibrant and uplifting vibe that feels like sunshine in musical form. By mixing elements of playful country with polished pop sounds, she creates a track that’s all about having fun and enjoying life.
Esthy’s singing truly shines, showcasing a lively and confident style. There’s a playful tone in her voice that makes the lyrics feel friendly and inviting, encouraging you to set aside your worries and immerse yourself in the moment.
“light it up” radiates energy and is lively and bright, featuring catchy guitar riffs and upbeat rhythms that draw you in right away. If you enjoy artists like Anne-Marie or OneRepublic, you’ll love this song, and Esthy adds her unique flair, making it special and memorable.
Esthy has a talent for creating catchy melodies, and with this one, you’ll find yourself humming throughout your day. Esthy is here to spread joy, inspire energy, and make music that connects with you instantly. This track is designed to remind you of your true unstoppable nature, and Esthy lights it up.
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Esthy’s “lights it up” on Spotify.
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