April 17, 2014
Report: Rapper Severs Penis, Jumps Off Balcony, Survives
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
In a bizarre alleged suicide attempt, a rapper connected to the iconic hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan was taken to the hospital Wednesday after he reportedly cut off his penis and jumped off the second-floor balcony of his North Hollywood home, the British newspaper the Guardian and other news outlets report.
Los Angeles police, who responded to the incident around 1 a.m. Wednesday, say Andre Johnson, better known under his rap name Christ Bearer, was seriously injured after the apparent suicide attempt. The 40-year-old musician was taken to Cedars-Sinai medical center for treatment. His severed penis was also transported to the hospital but doctors were unable to reattach the appendage, according to TMZ.
Two members of the rap group Northstar told TMZ that Johnson cut off his penis and jumped off the balcony without warning. The rappers, who live in the same building as Johnson and found him on the side of the road, said he was not on any drugs that would cause him to attempt suicide in this way.
When emergency workers arrived at the scene, they found Johnson laying on the ground in a pool of blood. The members of Northstar, however, told TMZ that the rapper was able to get to his feet.
The New York Daily News reports that he is in critical condition.
The incident occurred just a day after Johnson released a new music video for a song called "OOOH!" featuring Rugged Monk. His album is slated for an April 28 release - Johnson's birthday.
Johnson and Northstar have worked with RZA, co-founder of the legendary hip-hop act Wu-Tang Clan, who discovered the rap act in 1998. RZA also produced Northstar's debut 2004 album, "RZA Presents Northstar."
The Guardian reports that the Wu-Tang Clan made a statement and included a picture of Johnson with a red line through him and said: "Parental advisory : Don't believe the hype. This motherfucker ain't got shit to do with the Wu-Tang brand."
Watch the music video for "OOOH!" below: