The 23-year-old rapper, whose meteoric rise from obscurity to fame captivated fans worldwide, shared an emotional message from his hospital bed, hooked up to oxygen and visibly shaken.
“It’s time for me to prioritize my health instead of all the other sh*t that doesn’t matter,”
Blunts told his fans, signaling a temporary step back from the spotlight to focus on recovery.
Dave Blunts, born Davion Blessing in Utah, exploded onto the hip-hop scene just a year ago with his viral hit “The Cup,” an unfiltered anthem about lean addiction that took TikTok by storm. Clips of his chaotic performances, often featuring him performing with an oxygen tank or even intubated on stage, sparked both fascination and concern. His raw, melodic style and provocative lyricism quickly amassed a cult following, with nearly 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
“You guys have turned my life from poverty into luxury in less than a year,”
Blunts said, crediting his fans for enabling him to support his family and friends. His authenticity and vulnerability, reminiscent of artists like Juice WRLD, have made him a standout in an industry often skeptical of his bold approach.
Blunt’s health has been a persistent concern since his rise to fame. Posts on X have documented multiple hospital stays, with fans expressing worry as early as December 2024 when he was seen coughing severely during a TikTok Live session. In February 2025, he shared from a hospital bed that his “deteriorating health” was preventing him from finishing an album.
Most recently, on May 10, 2025, Blunts was hospitalized again, forcing the cancellation of his Boston show.
“I’m sick and I’m hooked up to oxygen,”
He said, apologizing to fans for halting the tour that began in mid-April in Phoenix and was set to conclude on May 23 in Santa Ana, California. His commitment to performing despite illness underscores his dedication, but the toll has become undeniable.
“I’m not going to be able to sleep for a little bit because of this,”
He admitted, visibly devastated.
Blunts’ profile skyrocketed earlier this year when he collaborated with Kanye West, now known as Ye, on the controversial album Cuck (originally titled WW3). In a now-deleted video, Blunts claimed he wrote every song on the album, a statement Ye confirmed, saying,
“We would talk for hours. Then he’d write three songs in a day.”
The project, featuring tracks like “Cousins” and “Heil Hitler,” has drawn intense scrutiny for its provocative content, with Blunts defending it as a narrative about “one man who is going through betrayal” rather than antisemitic themes. Ye even compared Blunts to Eminem, praising his fearlessness and authenticity. Their partnership began less than two months ago, with Blunts noting they connected through mutual friends during Cuck’s production. Despite the controversy, this collaboration has cemented Blunts’ status as a bold new voice in hip-hop.
Beyond the stage, Blunts remains deeply connected to his family, crediting his fans for allowing him to provide for his mother and loved ones.
“I now can take care of my family, my friends, and everybody that I love because of you guys,”
He said. He’s also navigating a new relationship. In an interview, he recently shared that he’s dating a woman with autism and described it as a “fun challenge.” Blunts is taking a hiatus from music and social media to focus on recovery.
“I need to focus on eating right, exercising, and getting better,”
He emphasized prioritizing his well-being over external pressures. His resolve to return stronger is clear:
“I promise you, I will be back.”
Before his health setbacks, Blunts dropped his album You Can’t Say That, which he believes will influence the hip-hop sound, noting that even Ye drew inspiration from his style. While Cuck’s release date remains uncertain, Blunts hyped it as a “classic” and promised fans it’s coming soon. His tour cancellation has paused live performances, but his creative output and collaboration with Ye suggest more music is on the horizon once he recovers. For now, Blunts is focusing on himself, determined to overcome his health challenges and silence his detractors.
“For the niggas that don’t like me, please don’t think that this sh*t is over,”
He warned, signaling that his comeback is only a matter of time.
Blunt’s emotional transparency has endeared him to fans; his latest message is no exception.
“I love my fans so very much,”
He said, acknowledging their role in his rapid ascent. His decision to prioritize health over fame reflects a maturity beyond his 23 years, and his promise to return stronger has sparked an outpouring of support on X, with fans sending prayers and encouragement.