The legacies of rappers Juice WRLD and XXXTENTACION live on in a new single “You and Me,” also featuring Trippie Redd and Lil Uzi Vert. The single samples Linkin Park’s “In The End,” as the vocal snippet “Try so hard” along with an altered version of the instrumental can be heard from the rock banger.
The song was released a couple of weeks before Juice WRLD’s mother, Carmella Wallace, announced the launch of Live Free 999, a website made in his honor based on the charitable organization she started back in April to address mental health and substance abuse issues with preventative measures.
To celebrate, Wallace penned an open letter released early on Saturday giving fans insight into her relationship with the star. She also discussed his ongoing passion for music and struggle with mental health.
“We had long conversations about his future and about the world in general,” Wallace wrote of her son, born Jarad Anthony Higgins. “But like any mother and son, we had our issues. Jarad came from a family where academics were the highest priority, so I wanted him to focus on school, but he was always more interested in music. His teachers would often tell me that he was extremely gifted, but that he was always focused on his music. I’d often find him in the studio in the afternoon, pursuing his dream. He was laser-focused.”
A fund has also been established with the aid of Interscope Records and Grade A to provide resources for those with substance abuse challenges.
Juice WRLD passed away in December 2019 at the young age of 21. His music peer, XXXTENTACION, has made headlines for posthumously entering the top 20 list of highest-selling artists of all-time with a record 49 million certified units sold. Born Jahseh Onfroy, also died young at 20.
Both were tragically taken away and both were suffering from anxiety and depression. The two have continued to live on through their music and dedicated fans.
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Read the full open letter from Wallace below:
Jarad and I were always close. We liked to play pinball together. We had long conversations about his future and about the world in general. But like any mother and son, we had our issues. Jarad came from a family where academics were the highest priority, so I wanted him to focus on school, but he was always more interested in music. His teachers would often tell me that he was extremely gifted, but that he was always focused on his music. I’d often find him in the studio in the afternoon, pursuing his dream. He was laser-focused. In the end, Jarad won the battle and I agreed to let him take a year off after high school to work on his own music and his vision as Juice WRLD. When his career took off, I left my job in quality management to join his team. Jarad recorded music every day, in every city he found himself in. He amassed literally hundreds and hundreds of songs. The lyrics and melodies all made from his beautiful mind.
Jarad and I often had frank discussions about his struggles with addiction, anxiety and depression. I think he felt comfortable being honest with me because I never judged him. I recognized that what Jarad was dealing with was a disease and I know he truly wanted to be free from the demons that tormented him. As a parent, I believed early on and supported Jarad having access to counseling. I encouraged him to always share his feelings.
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love following the loss of my son. His loving spirit which is communicated through his music has touched so many people. I launched Live Free 999 so that perhaps his death could mean something for other mothers whose sons and daughters are dealing with the same kinds of issues that my son struggled with.
My message to the parents and children is simple. You do not have to suffer alone. You do not have to be ashamed of your mental health struggles. There is help. There is a way out.
On Mental Health Day 2020, I have launched a new website www.livefree999.org in the hopes that it will be a resource to those that are struggling. If we can help even one Mother and their son or daughter through our work here, Jarad’s death will have meaning and his positive, loving, creative spirit will endure.
Sincerely,
Ms. Carmela Wallace
