A bit of sad news awaited me when I stepped off here in 'The East'.. My good friend Thembisa of Sony Music dropped this heart wrenching press release….

Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 12:32:00 -0400
Subject: Producer Sam Sneed Diagnosed w/Cancerous Brain Tumor

Dear Music Industry/Media Professional/Friend:

This is not your ordinary press release with the who-said or who-did-what-to-whom. This is an alarm sounding, an urgent call to action. We witness so much untimely, senseless death to be so young, vibrant and full of promise. We have at this moment an opportunity to keep one of ours alive instead of shaking our heads and shedding tears questioning "why?!" The news was brought to me, and as a writer, I felt compelled to share the story and DO something about it to bring about a happy ending.

Music producer Sam "Sneed" Anderson, co-producer of "Natural Born Killers" and "Keep Their Heads Ringin', as well as producer for Capone-N-Noreaga ("Closer") and Cherelle ("Sleeping With The Enemy"), has been diagnosed with Astrocytoma Grade 3. This is a malignant brain tumor the size of a golf ball or a plum in its third stage of four stages of growth. Sam is only 31 years old.

Though he has no health coverage, the migraines he was experiencing forced him to visit the emergency room on August 3. "The headaches were unbearable", he recalls. "I went in after three weeks of pain, and they [the hospital] kept me." The tumor is too large and Sam is too young for surgery to be the first option; he must undergo CT and MRI scans plus radiation therapy in order to slow the growth and reduce the size of the tumor. This 5-day per week, seven-week therapy begins August 30. The "Peacock" delivery technique of radiation therapy, practiced in only 6 of America's hospitals, is Sam's best option. This therapy is estimated at $35,000. When surgery becomes necessary, the costs increase--but so do the risks: due to the position of the tumor, surgery could permanently impede Sam's speech, cognitive ability, and control over the right side of his body.

I personally cannot imagine the man who created those bangin' tracks doing anything but more incredible music. The exercise of creating music has probably contributed to his brain's power, sustaining him beyond the point of the average brain cancer patient. Amazingly, Sam has not suffered the usual seizures and impediments that come with tumors of this magnitude. In fact, before his diagnosis, Sam was keeping a full production schedule with Jay-Z and Peter Gunz. He and his family view his endurance to this point as a miracle, a testament to his will to live. Sam's faith is unwavering and he believes he will recover fully. But time is of the essence.

How can you help? If you have a label/company expense account, send Sam a tax deductible "gift certificate" to Three Rivers Bank, where a fund has been established to cover his considerable medical expenses. If you have a job and can spare a few bucks or wait on those new shoes, send a check to:

Sam Anderson Fund
Three Rivers Bank
c/o Laura Walker
P.O. Box 3045
McKeesport, PA 15134-3045

If you can get artists involved to hold benefit shows, tell them they will be joining Scarface and Eightball, who have already committed to performing for Sam. Sway & Tech, The Poetess, and KRS-ONE got the word and your help is needed to get the word out and the funds coming in. Send this email to the high-powered label presidents, indies, mouthpieces, promo pros--we all have a positive part to play. No amount is too little or to large. But doing nothing, remaining silent, is unacceptable. If you can do a story or an item on this, Sam is available for interviews. Please contact me at Sam_Sneed@daveyd.com and I'll put you in contact with him.

One Love,
Thembisa S. Mshaka

"I want to thank the hip-hop community that has supported me in the music that I've done, especially Dr. Dre and Big Chuck. I also want to thank my fiancee' Celsie for all her love. I have faith, and the support of my family and friends. I'm ready to fight. I'm jumpin' in the ring."
-Sam Sneed

Addum: Since word of Sam's condition got out Busta Rhymes, Goodie Mobb and The Young Bloods have all stepped forward to help out. Dr Dre has also been in close contact with Sam.. A lot of this is directed to industry folks.. We all need to take a long hard look at some of the many imbalances that exist within our profession.. This is the second well known artist this year who is in need of finacial support because of cancer. Earlier this year Too Poetic of the Grave Diggaz was in need of our help because of liver cancer. When will rap artists start getting some sort of comprehensive health insurance. It may seem like it because of all the videos and fancy trimmings that get sported in public settings..but the sad reality is many artists are flat broke.. This is one reason people like Wendy Day has been striving to get some sort of Hip Hop union/coalition together so these performers are protected. In any case this newsletter reaches scores of industry professionals so please chip in.. As for the fans of Sam Sneed please drop him some get well cards at the email address that we set up: Sam_Sneed@daveyd.com . Sam will get everything and he will appreciate the get well wishes.. Lets not take our health and life for granted.. For more info folks can get a hold of Thembisa.. If you're in the business, you'll know how..