You may have noticed your social media timeline being flooded with tweets, posts, pictures, and comments about celebrated Queens rapper, Royal Flush. We all wish it was for a better reason. Unfortunately, it’s due to the life-altering medical diagnosis he recently received. He has been diagnosed with Grade 3A Follicular Lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. The-Hip Hop community is stunned and saddened.

Born Ramel Govantes, Royal Flush was raised in Flushing, Queens. In the early '90’s he made a name for himself as a talented and charismatic MC, notorious for his dapper wardrobe.

His authentic raps chronicled the day-to-day activities of a young hustler, back when most rappers actually did what they claimed to do in their raps.

Flush emerged onto the music scene just as the Golden Age of Hip-Hop was slowly morphing into the New School Era. His good friend, Mic Geronimo, had already put their hood on the map when he signed to underground label Blunt/TVT Records in 1995 and released his debut album, The Natural, which spawned the timeless hit, “Sh*t’s Real”.

Now it was Flush’s turn to show and prove. His debut album, Ghetto Millionaire, dropped in the summer of 1997 on TVT Records and landed in the Top 50 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. A huge accomplishment for a newcomer, especially given the fact that the Notorious B.I.G.’s final album, Life After Death, Wu Tang Clan’s sophomore album, Wu-Tang Forever, and Capone-N- Noreaga’s debut album, The War Report all dropped that year, too.

Ghetto Millionaire was produced by some of Hip-Hop’s most esteemed producers L.E.S., Buckwild, Hi-Tek, and Da Beatminerz. It garnered two hit singles, “Iced Down Medallions” ft. Noreaga of C-N- N and “WorldWide” produced by L.E.S.

Flush would go on to release three more albums between 2005 and 2019, while making dozens of appearances on various projects with Mic Geronimo, Tragedy Khadafi, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the late Big L, Pete Rock, Kool G Rap, Uncle Murda, Big Pun, Buckwild, the late Sean Price, and more.

Fans are in for a real treat whenever Flush randomly decides to drop new music. It’s evident that he hasn’t missed a beat, or should I say, a bar. He picks up right where he left off, back to classic Royal Flush, boasting about his plush lifestyle and spitting slick metaphors in a smooth yet raspy voice that delivers an aggressive but mellow flow, akin to his personality. Forever reppin’ for his borough he still taps in with Queens’ finest producers when he’s ready to work, namely legendary producer Large Professor and elite engineer Teardropz of Da Town Studios.

His latest solo project, “The Sit Down”, was released in June of 2023. Then, Flush paid the ultimate homage to his dear friend and fellow MC, the late, great Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik by releasing a collab album, The Royal Price Show on October 6, 2023. Chock full of boom-bap and heavy bar work, the album includes features from Cassidy, J.Sos, Ali Vegas, Tragedy Khadafi, Nature, and Grafh.

Respectfully proclaimed The Governor of Queens, Royal Flush is an MC at heart and a true student of the game.  He lives and breathes Hip-Hop music and all it entails from the studio to the stage. You may catch him on a random night in the DJ booth playing hits and commanding the crowd with his high-energy banter, or stopping by for an impromptu performance at a fellow papper’s show, or even backstage at ROCK THE BELLS FESTIVAL chopping it up with all the Hip Hop greats, as he is loved and admired by his peers in the music industry.

At home he is revered by his beautiful wife and children. He is an amazing husband, an attentive father, and a cherished friend to many.

Up until this diagnosis, he continued to make music and perform across the U.S. to the adornment of his day-one fans. Flush is a warrior with a kind soul and a vivacious personality who is the best at what he does. It’s no secret how he managed to remain relevant for more than 25 years and counting without conforming to the many different directions Hip Hop has gone in. Hard work, dedication and authenticity have always been the Royal Flush way.

The massive outpouring of love, prayers, and support from family, friends, and fans is a testament to the man and the artist he is. Radio personality, Peter Rosenberg, sent a generous donation to his GoFundMe and shouted him out on HOT 97’s morning show to help raise awareness.

“Royal Flush has an incredible resume of classic music repping Queens. Why not go support him right now? They've raised $16,000 they gotta get way more, so go to gofundme.com. You can just type in and search Royal Flush and his page will come up, but yeah we need to support our own. Royal Flush needs our help, great dude, great artist. Queens what up!” 

Laura Stylez added, “When it comes to cancer let me tell you I have two friends going through it right now. It is so expensive, and no, insurance doesn't cover everything, and they put people who are going through it through so much to try to get a little bit of help, so that's why people have to go to go fund me to pay for the proper care that they need.” 

Peter Rosenberg goes on to say, “I’m glad you said that Laura, cause like you know Flush has done well for himself and he's in good shape, but like if you don't have insurance, you're an artist, you're coming out of pocket for everything. It’s an obscene amount of cash you need to have. Obscene! So that's why people, who are proud people, who have money, even some money, still need to go to go fund me just because it's so much money.”

50 Cent posted on socialmedia, “Flush was that ni**a before they knew who that ni**a was. Love you ni**a ain’t nothing change. Queens shit you know the vibes. The set backs are for the get backs.” You gotta love a good, positive post from Curtis!

The best news in all of this is that the outlook for people with this type of cancer is usually positive because it develops slowly. With consistent treatments and therapy, patients with Grade 3A Follicular Lymphoma have an average survival rate of higher than 20 years.

Here is a message from The Governor himself in response to all of the prayers, well-wishes and donations he’s been receiving:

“I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all of the messages, calls, texts, donations...I’ve recently been hospitalized to begin my first round of chemotherapy which was intense, but the doctors said I took it like a champ. I still have a long journey ahead of me, but the outpouring of LOVE has me fighting for my life! I appreciate all of you and I plan to beat this with everything in me! Just trying to grab hold of this process and I promise I will get back to everyone, I just ask that y’all fight with me and keep me going. I’m going to need it! Fu*k cancer!”

His devoted family has started a GoFundMe, Royal Flush's Courageous Fight to Conquer Cancer, to offset the cost of his lofty medical bills for ongoing treatments, therapy, and care.

We are praying for his full recovery and victory over this disease. Stay strong King, you got this!

Please click the link below if you find it in your heart to donate to this worthy cause. No amount is too small to give and all donations are deeply appreciated. Peace and blessings.