Ahead of Lymphoma Awareness Day, Lyrics Born Releases 'Can't Lose My Joy'

As we approach Lymphoma Awareness Day, long-standing hip-hop artist, LYRICS BORN, is sharing his family's own hardships and experiences with a cancer diagnosis. In his most difficult and personal track yet, "Can't Lose My Joy", he tells the story of his wife Joyo Velarde's battle with lymphoma and the pain, frustration, and ultimately hope that carried them from the start to present day.

"Unfortunately, one in three Americans are living with cancer, and my family is no different," says Lyrics Born. "We kept my wife, Joyo Velarde's 15 year battle with non-hodgkins lymphoma a secret from the public until now. 'Can't Lose My Joy' (f/Aloe Blacc) chronicles her being diagnosed at a time when we were working, touring, recording artists with our careers just beginning to blossom. In the spirit of National Lymphoma Awareness month & day, we hope this song from my forthcoming album Quite A Life, inspires you to keep pushing and staying optimistic. There is always hope."

The track was recorded with good friend Aloe Blacc who helped Lyrics Born through the strenuous process of putting the emotions to song, "This was by far the hardest song I've ever written in my career. I had a very hard time opening up about the concept with Aloe Blacc, and when he sent me the chorus he wrote and recorded, I just cried. He captured my feelings so accurately, it floored me."

Lyrics Born continues, "We are blessed to be in remission now, but with that demon looming, you are never totally at ease in life. Seeing it through successfully gives you the confidence that no obstacle is insurmountable when you have spiritual grounding, love and support from the people that matter to you. If nothing else, that is what I want people to take away from this song. Hope."

"Can't Lose My Joy" is a track off of Lyrics Born's upcoming album Quite A Life, out this Friday September 14, 2018 on Mobile Home Recordings. The album features Aloe Blacc, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab, and many more.

Photo credit: Scott La Rockwell

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