In the spring of 2015, Philadelphia rapper Freeway, a legend in hip-hop and a voice of resilience for his city, felt something was off. He was exhausted, even after rest. As a touring artist, he assumed it was part of the grind. But the fatigue deepened into something heavier.1
“As Black men in America, we fear going to the hospital”, Freeway told FOX 29. “We feel like we’re invincible”.1
When he finally went to the doctor, bloodwork revealed what exhaustion had been hiding: his kidneys were failing. Within a week, he was rushed to the emergency room. “Me being Muslim, the first thing I wanted to do was pray”, he recalled. “Ask God to help me deal with this situation”.1
Freeway later learned he had been living with three major risk factors for kidney disease including high blood pressure, diabetes, and being African American.2 Four years later, in 2019, he underwent a kidney transplant that saved his life.1
Now, as an ambassador for the National Kidney Foundation, Freeway has made it his mission to raise awareness, especially among Black men who often ignore symptoms until it’s too late. His journey reminds us that faith and early action can change the story, not just for one person, but for an entire community.
How the Kidneys Keep You Alive
Your kidneys are small, but they’re mighty. About the size of your fists, they sit on either side of your spine and quietly filter nearly 50 gallons of blood a day.3 They remove toxins, balance fluids, control blood pressure, and help make red blood cells.3
Think of them as your body’s cleanup crew, working around the clock to keep everything balanced. When they’re damaged, waste and fluid build up in your system. That can cause swelling in the legs, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, or confusion. Over time, the damage becomes irreversible.3
That’s why kidney failure is so serious. It doesn’t happen overnight, but by the time symptoms appear, the kidneys may already be in crisis.3
The Reality for Black Men
Kidney failure doesn’t hit all communities equally. Black men are three to four times more likely to experience kidney failure than white men. They’re also more likely to be diagnosed later and to start dialysis sooner.2
The reasons are layered: systemic racism, limited access to care, high rates of high blood pressure and diabetes, food deserts, stress, and mistrust of healthcare institutions.2 Even when Black men do seek help, studies show their concerns are more likely to be dismissed or downplayed.2
Freeway’s story mirrors what many experience: a combination of overwork, delayed care, and silent risk factors that go unchecked. But it also offers a roadmap for transformation.2
3 Lessons from Freeway’s Story That Every Black Man Should Know
1. Don’t Brush Off Fatigue, Your Body Is Talking to You
We live in a culture that praises endurance—pushing through pain, hustling past exhaustion. But fatigue isn’t just “being tired.” When your kidneys start to fail, toxins that your body would normally filter out begin to circulate in your blood.4 That buildup can cause deep, bone-level tiredness that no amount of sleep fixes.4
If you notice you’re constantly drained, short of breath, or waking up with swelling around your eyes or ankles, listen to your body. Don’t write it off as stress or lack of rest. These early warning signs could be your body asking for help.4
Call to action: Go beyond endurance. Real strength is in paying attention, getting checked, and staying alive for yourself, your family, and your purpose.
2. Know Your Risk and Confront It Head-On
Knowledge is power, but only when you use it. Freeway learned he was living with three of the leading risk factors for kidney disease: high blood pressure, diabetes, and being Black.2
High blood pressure silently damages the blood vessels that keep your kidneys healthy. Diabetes adds another layer, excess sugar in the blood wears down those same vessels. Together, they create the perfect storm for kidney failure.5
Black men also face unique challenges, like the APOL1 gene variant, which increases the likelihood of kidney disease. While you can’t change your genes, you can change your outcomes through awareness and consistent care.5
Call to action: If you have a family history of kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, get tested annually. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors. Ask questions until you get answers.
3. Don’t Wait for Symptoms to Get Screened
Kidney disease is known as a “silent killer” because it can progress for years without obvious symptoms.5 But the good news is: it’s also highly detectable. Two simple tests can reveal the truth long before you feel sick:
- A blood test that measures how well your kidneys are filtering waste (creatinine and eGFR levels).5
- A urine test that checks for protein, one of the earliest signs of kidney damage.5
It takes five minutes at your doctor’s office. Or, you can start right now by taking the 1-Minute Kidney Risk Test from the National Kidney Foundation.
Call to action: Early detection saves lives. Don’t let fear, pride, or mistrust cost you yours. Challenge your friends, brothers, and co-workers to take the test with you. Make it a movement.
How to Protect Your Kidneys and Your Future
Kidney health isn’t just a medical issue, it’s a lifestyle, a mindset, and a commitment to long-term wellness. Protecting your kidneys means protecting your entire cardiovascular (heart) system and your quality of life.6
Here’s how to start today:
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Check your blood pressure regularly, and take medication as prescribed.6
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Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes. Small daily choices make big differences over time.6
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Stay hydrated, but don’t overdo it; balance is key.6
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Limit salt and processed foods, which make your kidneys work overtime.6
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Exercise regularly to maintain healthy blood flow and reduce stress.6
- Avoid overusing painkillers like ibuprofen, which can strain the kidneys.6
- Get yearly lab tests if you have risk factors or a family history of kidney disease.6
And most importantly, don’t do it alone. Black men often face cultural pressure to stay silent about health, to be the strong one who “handles it”. But silence is costly.
Freeway’s story proves that vulnerability can be revolutionary—that talking about your health can save your life and someone else’s.
From Survival to Legacy
Freeway turned his diagnosis into purpose. Through music, faith, and advocacy, he reminds us that asking for help is not weakness, it’s wisdom. When he stood on stage again after his transplant, it wasn’t just a comeback; it was a message: you can rebuild. You can survive. You can thrive.
References
- Anderson, B. (2020, March 1). From kidney failure to transplant: Philly rapper Freeway advocates for kidney disease awareness. Retrieved from FOX 29 Philadelphia: https://www.fox29.com/news/from-kidney-failure-to-transplant-philly-rapper-freeway-advocates-for-kidney-disease-awareness
- Novick, T. K., & Crews, D. C. (2022). Centering Black Men With Kidney Disease. JAMA Network Open. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.11903
- NKF. (2024, October 15). Kidney Function. Retrieved from National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/kidney-function
- NKF. (2020, December 17). 10 Signs You May Have Kidney Disease. Retrieved from National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/news-stories/10-signs-you-may-have-kidney-disease
- Laster, M., Shen, J., & Norris, K. C. (2019). Kidney Disease Among African Americans: A Population Perspective. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.06.021
- NKF. (2025). 6-Step Guide to Protecting Kidney Health. Retrieved from National Kidney Foundation: https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/6-step-guide-to-protecting-kidney-health
