OPINION: Deaths of Gen X hip hop & R&B artists is a wake-up call for Black men’s health

By Sandra Carr Melvin, DrPH, MPH, MLS

JA Guest Health Writer

Our hip hop and R & B icons are dying! One by one, the Black men who created the sound and soul for an entire generation are becoming ancestors before they are eligible for Social Security. The death of neo-soul legend and Grammy Award winner D’Angelo, 51, whose music bridged R&B and hip-hop, sent shockwaves through the community and reignited conversations about the health of Black men. His passing from pancreatic cancer follows a troubling and familiar pattern. In the last five years, fans have bid farewell to several pioneers of hip-hop: Irv Gotti (54) and Biz Markie (57) from diabetes, and Fatman Snoop (53) and Magoo (50) from cardiovascular disease. 

A Health Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

As social media timelines overflow with tributes celebrating their genius, a painful truth must reset our algorhythms. Chronic diseases and unequal access to care can contribute to the shortening of Black men’s lives. Heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, and cancer continue to take a devastating toll not only on beloved artists but also on our fathers, brothers, uncles, and friends. According to the Brookings Institution, the average life expectancy of a Black man in the United States is just 71 years as opposed to the 77 years for white men. The gap reflects deep disparities in access to health care, preventive services, and the social conditions that shape health outcomes. The National Journal of Medicine researched the link between medical mistrust and how often African American men go to the doctor for routine care. Many Black men delay or skip regular checkups, blood pressure tests, and cholesterol screenings because they don’t fully trust the healthcare system. Mistrust becomes even stronger when procedures are more invasive, such as prostate exams, cancer screenings, or HIV testing. Unfortunately, this lack of trust may lead to late diagnoses and missed chances to prevent or manage serious health problems.

A Community Response: The Tell Ten Challenge

Health disparities among minorities are nothing new, but the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health (IAMH) is working to upgrade health outcomes through its new initiative, the Tell Ten Challenge. The challenge is a byproduct of Roland Martin’s keynote address delivered during the 2025 Black Men’s Health Equity Conference. It is a call to action for Black men to take responsibility for their health and for each other’s well-being. It’s a simple, man-to-man movement that transforms concern into action.

Tell Ten Challenge Rules

1. Select Ten Names. Choose ten men in your circle – fathers, brothers, cousins, fraternity or Masonic brothers, and friends. 

2. Start the Conversation. Text or call them and ask direct questions about their health. When was your last check-up? What’s your blood pressure? Do you know your A1C? Need a ride to the doctor?

3. Take Action Together. Share clinic information, go to appointments together, and follow through on screenings. 

4. Offer Support. If you’re nervous, I’ll go with you.

5. Follow Up. Check back to be sure they made the appointment. Ask for the date and time. Hold them accountable. Stay on them until there are results.

6. Share Your Success. Take photos with your crew and post them using the hashtag #iamhtellten.

A Culture That Changed the World Can Help Save It 

For more than 50 years, hip-hop has told the truth about the power, pain, and perseverance in the Black community. Now, it’s time for that same culture to fuel community health, wellness, and healing. In his classic song “Changes”, Tupac Shakur told his audience, “You see, the old way wasn’t workin”. So, it’s on us to do what we gotta do to survive. Tell Ten is an action plan. It moves participants from survival to transformation. If ten men commit to telling ten more, and those ten tell ten more, the future of Black men’s health can improve. To join The Tell Ten Challenge, visit minority-institute.org/tell-ten-challenge.

Sandra Carr Melvin, DrPH, MPH, MLS is the CEO & Founding President of the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health.