The Wu-Tang Clan wanted to let fans know that it does not want to be linked to Andre Johnson, the rapper who has been in the headlines for days after a failed suicide attempt that included cutting his penis off. However, RZA, who discovered the rapper, has the entire situation is “sad.”
Back on Wednesday, Johnson, who was known as Christ Bearer, severed his penis, then jumped from his North Hollywood apartment balcony. He was rushed to the hospital and doctor’s were not able to reattach his penis.
Johnson was part of a rap duo called Northstar. They were discovered by the Wu Tang Clan’s RZA and joined the sub-group Killa Bees a couple of years ago. Despite these links, The Daily Mail reports that the Wu Tang Clan has tried to distance itself from Johnson. They posted a message on their site that read “Exclusive: Not affiliated to the Wutang brand” and featured a picture of Johnson with a red line through it. “Parental Advisory: Don’t Believe The HYPE. This m*********** Ain’t Got s*** to do with The WUTANG Brand,” a caption read.
That post has since been deleted, but still exists as a cached page.
Although they haven’t done work together in years, RZA told XXL Magazine that he was still saddened by the news. He said he recently spoke with Johnson after Johnson was released from jail and explained how Christ Bearer was a West Coast group that the Wu Tang Clan had invested in.
“I feel sad for his family first and foremost; I know he has children,” RZA told the magazine. “This sounds more than high,” he said of what Johnson did. “It sound like mental problems or something that was bothering this man’s mind, and he needed help. It’s sad. I send my respect out to his family.”