Hip Hop pioneer Spyder D—who was managed by childhood friend Russell Simmons in the 1980s and produced songs for Roxanne Shanté, Sparky D and DJ Divine, among others—has been hospitalized. According to a statement obtained by ROCK THE BELLS, the 62-year-old has been under medical care for nearly two months. 

“Spyder D recently faced a challenge with his health when he suffered a stroke with a bleed to the brain, followed by a bacterial brain infection, which led to infecting his blood stream,” the statement reads. “He is suffering challenges as a result of it all.”

Subsequently, Spyder D’s family has launched a GoFundMe in an effort to cover the mounting medical bills, although it wasn’t an easy decision.

“Throughout his career, Spyder D is known to be a family man contributing to the community to people who needed support,” the statement continued. “Those who know him know this about him. Spyder D never asked anyone for anything even when he needed help.” 

The goal is currently set at $5,000. Speaking to RTB, Sparky D—who shares two children with Spyder D—praised his often-overlooked contributions to Hip-Hop culture.

“He was my producer, but he was my friend first,” she says. “As a man, he’s the greatest father ever. Spyder D was the first one to ever get any artist at any basketball game. If it wasn’t for Spyder D, nobody would be performing at any sports arena. He was the first one who ever got an artist a commercial and that was 1985 when I did a radio commercial with Mountain Dew, an endorsement. it ran for three years straight. He’s never reached out to anybody for anything even when he was hungry. Always remember ‘God got your back like a jacket.’ Those are the words of Spyder D. I’m trusting in God. He’s a miracle worker.” 

A decorated writer, the Hollis, Queens native has received multiple BMI Awards and other recognitions throughout his career in the music industry. He’s best known for his 1982 hit "Smerphie's Dance,” which has been sampled by Ice Cube, Too $hort, Big Mike and Dru Down, among others.

Find the GoFundMe here.