Mykki Blanco: 'I've Been HIV Positive Since 2011'
Harlem rapper Mykki Blanco — real name Michael Quattlebaum Jr. — bravely revealed to his fans that he has been HIV positive since 2011. Making the announcement this weekend via his official Facebook page, the MC explained that he was tired of "living in the dark."
"I've been HIV Positive since 2011, my entire career," he wrote. "F**k stigma and hiding in the dark, this is my real life. I'm healthy I've toured the world 3 times but ive [sic] been living in the dark, its [sic] time to actually be as punk as i say I am."
Hoping to inspire others to not be ashamed if experiencing a similar situation, the "Wavvy" rapper povided more encouraging words to his fans in the comments, while admitting that the music industry would not be pleased with his transparency.
"No more living a lie. HAPPY PRIDE... The music industry ain't gonna like i admitted this so if a curator could help me move more into the art world that would be awesome, he wrote. "Thank you, hiding, being afraid of stigma is exhausting, we are souls not image's thank you brother... Its [sic] just today for everyone else knowing but it's been 5 years for me, meds, garlic, limes, yogurt lol world travel. I just can't be an image living in fear having people call me brave and it being a lie. Thank you for your support."
Blanco also addressed his Twitter followers, by sharing these inspirational words:
Blanco's debut album, Michael, is said to drop later this year.
We commend Mykki Blanco for his bravery and living in his truth. Check out the BET.com video below to see the struggle that HIV-positive individuals endure due to the stigma it attracts in today's society.
BET.com is your No. 1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.
(Photo: Burak Cingi/Redferns via Getty Images)
