Lil Wayne tried to kill himself when he was 12 because he was banned from rapping. A police officer named Robert Hoobler saved him from death. Hoobler, also known as “Uncle Bob”, passed away on Friday July 22nd. Lil Wayne is deeply touched.
Uncle Bob didn’t leave Lil Wayne’s side
At the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards, the rapper opened up about his suicide attempt. He is eternally grateful for Uncle Bob’s help. He explained:
“There’s a man in New Orleans by the name of Uncle Bob. One day, he broke into an apartment at gunpoint and saw nobody, just legs on the floor. My legs. Blood was everywhere and most of the cops just looked the other way. Even emergency doctors had tried twice [mich wiederzubeleben] and told him it was useless. He didn’t want to wait any longer. […] Not only did he refuse to leave me there, he also refused to leave without me. He stayed with me to make sure I would make it.”
In deep sorrow
Uncle Bob died at the age of 65. He was found dead in his apartment. He lived with health problems after a car accident. He also had diabetes, which prompted doctors to amputate both of his legs. Lil Wayne offered Uncle Bob money to help him through his difficult times, but Bob politely declined. “I’m just happy to say I saved someone’s life,” he said.
Upon learning of his death, the rapper posted a photo of him on Instagram and wrote, “Everything happens for a reason. I was dying when I met you right there. You refused to let me die. Everything that didn’t happen happened for a reason. That reason is you and faith. RIP Uncle Bob. Aunt Kathie was waiting for you. I will always love you, miss you both and live for all of us.”
“I did not die, and yet I lay dying”
As we now know: Wayne continued to rap. The music gave him the strength he needed to process his trauma. In his song “Let It All Work Out” he wrote the following lines:
“I aimed at the spot where my heart was beating
I pulled the trigger and woke up covered in blood
I did not die, and yet I lay dying
God came to my side and we talked about it
He sold me another life and made me a prophet”
If you have suicidal thoughts, you should turn to people you trust. Speaking often helps to clear the thoughts, at least temporarily. Anyone who is open to further offers of help or is concerned about people close to them can contact the telephone counseling service – also anonymously: They offer quick help and put doctors, advice centers or clinics on the number 0800/111 01 11.