Warren rapper draws influence from sickle cell diagnosis

Seventeen-year-old Ja’Vionte “Tae Money” Allen draws inspiration from his personal battle with sickle cell disease in his lyrics, but much of his drive to pursue a career as a rap artist comes from encouragement from his nurses at Akron Children’s Hospital. “It takes persistence,” Allen said of his music career. “My family tells me I just have to grind for it. Anything you want in life you have to grind for. It’s going to come.” Allen was born with sickle cell disease, a condition that prevents red blood cells from carrying adequate amounts of oxygen throughout the body. What typically results are episodes of pain in the joints and bones, swelling, infections, and vision problems. Related story