Sha GZ is the rising star of the New York drill rap scene. He collapsed on stage after suffering a seizure during his performance at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey, on Monday, July 31, 2023 night. The shocking incident was captured in a viral video. It showed the 18-year-old rapper, whose real name is Shaheem Knott, falling to the ground while rapping to his hit song “The Purge.”
The video has been viewed more than 10 million times on social media. It sparked concern and sympathy among his fans and fellow artists. They expressed their prayers and wished for his speedy recovery. Sha GZ was taken to a nearby hospital, where he currently receives treatment, as per sources. The cause of the seizure is still unknown, and his team or family has released no official statement.
Sha GZ is one of the most prominent figures in the drill rap genre, which originated in Chicago and has gained popularity in New York and London. He started his rap career in 2021 when he released his debut single, “Rosa,” which garnered over 20 million streams on Spotify. Since then, he has released several successful tracks, such as “New Opp,” “Poppa Perry,” and “The Purge,” which showcase his raw and aggressive style of rapping, often featuring violent and provocative lyrics.
However, his music has also attracted controversy and criticism. This is especially true for his song “New Opp.” It was removed from YouTube in December 2022. The song allegedly violated community guidelines. The diss track was aimed at his competing rapper, Lil Tjay. It featured Sha GZ, who was 17 years old at the time. In the first 10 seconds of the video, he was smoking an unknown but controlled substance. The song also included references to guns, drugs, and gangs. Some viewers found this offensive and inappropriate.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Sha GZ defended his artistic expression, saying that he only reflected the reality of his life and environment. He said that he grew up in a rough neighborhood in the Bronx, where he witnessed violence and crime daily. He said that he used music as a way to cope with his trauma and to express his emotions. He also said that he was not glorifying or promoting violence but instead exposing the harsh realities of the streets.
Sha GZ’s fans and supporters praised his authenticity and talent. They have hailed him as one of the best drill rappers in the industry. He has amassed over 200,000 followers on Instagram and over a million listeners on Spotify. He has worked with notable musicians such as Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign, and Sheff G. He was also nominated for the Best New Artist award at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Sha GZ’s seizure has raised questions about the health and well-being of young artists in the music industry. These artists often face immense pressure and stress from their fans, critics, and competitors. Some have speculated that Sha GZ’s seizure could have been triggered by his excessive use of drugs, which he has admitted to in some of his songs. Others have suggested that Sha GZ could have been suffering from an underlying medical condition, such as epilepsy. The loud music and flashing lights could have aggravated this at the concert.
