Although Big Sean is on a promotional tour for his fourth studio album, I Decided, the acclaimed rapper has another real world issue plastered on his list of duties. The Detroit native has been a vocal figure in the fight for clean water in Flint, Mich., since news of the environmental and health issue surfaced. In 2016, the “Blessings” rapper launched a #HealFlintKids campaign to provide the necessary healthcare for children affected by the lead-ridden liquid.
“In recognizing the great work that the Community Foundation of Greater Flint Michigan has been doing, it is my hope we can help by raising the money needed to ensure that the children who have been hit the hardest receive the care that they need today and well into the future,” the 28-year-old artist previously said. Now, he plans to tack a monetary value to his aforementioned statement.
While visiting The Daily Show, the Roc Nation cohort revealed that he raised $100,000 to benefit the adolescents dealing with life-altering symptoms of lead-poisoning. “It’s something that should’ve been prevented and could’ve been prevented, so it’s just disgusting to think about the damages that these families and even kids have to go through with the lead poisoning,” Sean told host Trevor Noah.
The Grammy-nominated rapper also shared that his mother, Myra Anderson, had a bout with lead poisoning in the past. “It was very hard for her to deal with, but she was able, through holistic care and homeopathic remedies. She was able to reverse a lot of the effects.”
According to the Detroit News, upwards of 30,000 children have come into contact with lead in school and at home. The water’s contamination began in April 2014 when the city of Flint switched their water supply from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the Flint River.
Given the lack of proper and adequate treatment of the water during that time period, it became consumed by lead, which can cause hearing loss and brain damage through intake. According to the New York Times, the drinking water has lined up with federal regulations, but Mayor Karen Weaver says this is only the beginning.
“We still need help and support from the state and federal government so that all of the estimated 20,000 lead-tainted pipes remaining in the city will be replaced,” she said.
