Pioneer Hip Hop Journalist Dee Barnes Reveals Homelessness and Asks Support From the Internet

Posted On : March 27, 2019
Dee Barnes, Twitter

Heartbreaking: Long Financial Struggles Revealed

Pioneer hip hop journalist Dee Barnes revealed to the public that she has been experiencing financial struggles and has recently been evicted from her home.

According to HipHopDX, Barnes spoke in an interview saying that she’s now homeless and seeking hip hop’s help.

“I had never asked for public help before, but I then remembered a long time ago while I was going through the assault trial in 1991 people were sending me checks for my legal fees. I never cashed any of them — not one — but knowing I had that support kept me strong enough to continue to face each court date”.

Support From the Internet

After speaking out about her living situation, Barnes created a GoFundMe campaign in order to “regain stability”.

The journalist received an outpouring response of support and love from fans and supporters on the internet. The campaign was created in February 2019 and received over $16,000 although her fundraising goal was $5,000 and she left a message to supporters on her campaign page;

“Even though I am facing extreme financial hardship, I keep my head up. It may sound cliche but things will turn around in your favor, this is the balance of life ups and downs, so stay strong, and count your blessings, not your problems. I have the sincerest gratitude for your help and thank everyone for your love and support.”

Paving the Way

Many supporters acknowledged that Barnes had paved the way for women in hip-hop and wanted to help out with any monetary amount. The journalist came on to the scene as the first female hip hop journalist to have her own broadcast show, Pump It Up.” 

Her career soon derailed in 1991 after a brutal attack by music mogul, Dr. Dre. After the attack, Barnes claimed that she still continues to have migraines 28 years later and feels that she was blackballed by the industry for speaking out about the abuse she faced, “As far as the subject matter of my past history with Dr. Dre and my current situation, I will say any time a woman tells her account of abuse from a public figure, there is always extreme backlash,” she said in an interview.

Barnes is hoping the hip hop community will come together and help her through this difficult time she’s facing.

https://twitter.com/sistadbarnes/status/1106665880115544064

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