Angelo Ruelan
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Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It’s a battle that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and tax brackets. Unsurprisingly, this also includes rappers.
In this article, discover the stories of 25 rappers who have mental illness.
25 Rappers Who Have Mental Illness
1. Kanye West
First on our list of rappers who have mental illness is Kanye West. Known for his outlandish, impulsive, and questionable behavior, many, including psychiatrists, have pointed out that his actions indicate that he has bipolar disorder.
Unsurprisingly, in 2016, Ye was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being hospitalized.
Related: Who is Kanye West?
2. Kid Cudi
“Day n’ Nite” rapper Kid Cudi also grapples with mental illnesses. He bravely shared in an interview with Esquire magazine that he was struggling with depression culminating in suicidal thoughts.
His mental illness was also the reason why he took a break at the height of his career back in 2016.
Related: 20 Famous Rappers Who Went Bankrupt
3. Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion is another one of many rappers who have mental illness.
In her song “Anxiety,” she talked about her experience dealing and grappling with the disorder, using her platform to spread awareness while also saying that it’s okay to get into your feelings.
The Hot Girl Coach also gets real with her depression and suicidal thoughts in her most recent and powerful single, “Cobra,” getting candid about what happened when she was out having a social media break.
Related: 16 Best Female Rappers
4. Joe Budden
In 2017, rapper Joe Budden opened up about his darkest days and multiple suicide attempts.
“For me, there have been less than five times where I’ve actually attempted suicide,” he said in an interview with Grass Routes Podcasts.
The “Pump it Up” rapper said that both fame and wealth contributed to his mental health issues.
Related: 24 Rappers Who Served Time in Jail
5. Kendrick Lamar
Another icon on our list of rappers who have mental illness is Kendrick Lamar. The “Humble” rapper has always been vocal about his experiences with his mental health.
In one of his songs, “U,” he talked about his depression and suicidal thoughts, revealing in one of his verses that he has been dealing with depression ever since he was a teenager.
Related: 25 Singers Who Deal with Mental Illness
6. Chance The Rapper
Chance The Rapper is another artist who has used his platform to talk about the importance of taking care of your mental health.
The “Cocoa Butter Kisses” rapper was featured in a clip from the show Peace of Mind with Taraji, where he opened up about his struggles with PTSD and emphasized that mental health should be something that is discussed openly at home.
Related: 14 Best Rappers
7. Angel Haze
Another star who puts a spotlight on and raises awareness of mental health is “Battle Cry” rapper Angel Haze.
Angel has bravely talked about sensitive topics such as depression and past trauma in various interviews and through her music.
Related: 25 Rappers Who Came From Nothing
8. Eminem
If there’s one person who’s a testament to seeking help works, it’s Eminem. From nearly losing his life down to sobering up, Eminem has experienced it all.
He has been vocal about his struggles through his verses and songs, claiming that rapping was “therapeutic” and has greatly helped him overcome the darkest days of his life.
“One of the great things about rap music is that you could put so much of your life in it,” he said in an interview.
9. Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne, unfortunately, also lands on our list of rappers who have mental illness. Since age 12, he has suffered the terrible and scary predicament that mental disorders bring.
Wayne opened up about how he made a suicide attempt when he was just a young 12 years old.
Thankfully, he has sought help ever since, and he hopes that his openness will also encourage others to start their treatment.
10. Mac Miller
Mac Miller was always very open about his struggles with mental illness, from substance use and drug addiction to his depression. He often used his songs as an avenue to tell his life story.
Unfortunately, the rapper succumbed to its dangerous grasp and is now in a better place. R.I.P. Mac Miller!
Related: How Did Mac Miller Die?
11. Danny Brown
There is a pressing need for more open discussions about mental illness within the black community, especially among black men, and that’s what Danny Brown is doing.
The Detroit emcee courageously shared on Twitter that he is battling depression and anxiety while also going through withdrawals.
In doing so, he is challenging the stigma around seeking treatment as a black man.
Related: 22 Rappers Who Got Shot
12. DMX
Rap icon DMX was sadly also a rapper who dealt with mental issues. In a Dr. Phil interview, he revealed that he suffered from bipolar disorder. Sadly, he died in 2021.
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13. B.o.B.
B.o.B has always been a controversial figure. He confused everyone with his flat-earth beliefs in 2016, but the “Airplanes” rapper has since joked about the situation and admitted that he has been dealing with anxiety and depression during the time.
In his song “Avalanche,” he candidly expresses that he was indeed experiencing depression.
Related: 19 Rappers Who Cheated on Their Partners
14. T.I.
T.I. faced mental health challenges because of his personal trauma, which ultimately resulted in his arrest for unlawfully acquiring firearms.
The “Whatever You Like” rapper revealed that the passing of his best friend plunged him into a deep state of depression and paranoia.
Related: 37 Musicians Who Hate Trump
15. Scarface
Another rapper who opened up about his battle with depression is the legendary Scarface, making him a part of our list of rappers who have mental illness.
Scarface opened up to HuffPost about his issues with manic depression, which he went into detail about in his memoir Diary of a Madman: The Geto Boys, Life, Death, and the Roots of Southern Rap.
“It was serious, man. I wanted to die back then. And if you ask me why…I can honestly tell you I don’t know. I have no idea. Maybe I felt worthless,” he said.
Thankfully, these thoughts are now only a thing of the past.
Related: 21 Best Songs About Anxiety
16. Kevin Gates
Kevin Gates has always talked about his struggles with mental health in various interviews and podcasts.
He revealed that he almost died by suicide and had in fact written a suicide note in December 2020.
Related: 20 Rappers Who Have DUIs
17. Isaiah Rashad
Another star in our list of rappers who have mental illness is Isaiah Rashad. Rashad has already attempted to take his own life at only 19 years old.
The rapper has grappled with depression and addiction and has emphasized seeking help both professionally and to your community.
Related: 20 Rappers Who Overdosed
18. Krizz Kaliko
Krizz Kaliko not only bravely shared his inspiring story but also broke the stigma surrounding black men seeking help for their mental health.
The “Girls Like That” rapper revealed that he has been diagnosed with PTSD, OCD, bipolar mania, and hypochondria.
Despite being in and out of various psych wards, he remains resilient, advocating for the importance of medicine and treatment on the path to recovery.
Related: 35 Celebrities Who Have Depression
19. Tupac
Who would have thought that the rap legend Tupac would also be on this list? Many fans, including psychiatrists, speculate that the rapper most likely suffered from bipolar disorder, a form of anxiety and post-traumatic stress stemming from his 1994 shooting.
Related: 22 Singers Who Died Too Soon
20. Notorious B.I.G.
Perhaps one of the most iconic rappers of all time, Biggie Smalls is also one of the rappers who have mental illness.
He used and channeled his experiences in his music and openly rapped about his battle with depression.
21. Childish Gambino
The talented and multi-faceted star Childish Gambino also doesn’t shy away from discussing his struggle with his mental health. The rapper took to Twitter to candidly discuss his mental health, bravely opening up about his struggles with depression.
Fortunately, he has since found himself in a more positive and stable mental space.
Related: 25 Best Songs About America
22. Chris Brown
Chris Brown has always had erratic and aggressive behavior, and potentially, this may be attributed to his mental health.
According to court documents, the “Under The Influence” rapper has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, hence his history of aggression.
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23. Logic
Fame often comes with a multitude of mental health challenges. Fortunately, individuals like Logic stand out as pioneers in combating the stigma surrounding mental health, consistently advocating for awareness and understanding.
The “Homicide” rapper suffered from anxiety and has used his platform to bring up and shed light on this issue.
His song, “1-800-273-8255,” successfully raised awareness about the hotline, and he received numerous thank yous from fans, saying that Logic helped save their lives.
24. Big Sean
Big Sean has also discussed the constant struggle of his battle with mental health.
The Grammy Award-winning rapper disclosed being diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
He bravely opened up about contemplating suicide on multiple occasions, at times even holding a gun in his hand during these difficult moments.
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25. J Cole
The last on our list of rappers who have mental illness is J Cole. In an interview with The Source, he revealed that he had been battling depression while recording his album, Born Sinner. He described it as a dark place and felt that his self-confidence shattered.
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