Toronto rapper Bishop Brigante has been through the wringer, but his resilience and determination shine through as he continues to fight against cancer while advocating for important changes in Canadian health care. In a recent interview, Brigante shared updates on his health, the progress of his petition, and reflected on the success of the recent NARC anniversary screening held in Toronto. The March 22 event was attended by the film’s director Joe Carnahan, and one of the co-stars, Jason Patric.
Brigante opened up about the toughest part of his battle against cancer, emphasizing the grueling effects of chemotherapy rounds.
“They completely debilitate me and it’s the toughest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” he expressed, shedding light on the harsh realities of the treatment process.
His petition, “Lowering the Age Criteria for Colonoscopy Testing to Save Lives,” has gained significant traction, garnering over 30,000 signatures to date. Brigante revealed that they are now awaiting a response from the health minister, with plans to escalate the movement to a federal level once approved.
Bishop Brigante (Photo Supplied)
While discussions have begun regarding taking the petition to Ottawa, Brigante remains focused on the current proceedings in Toronto. “The plan is a lot bigger moving forward,” he hinted, suggesting broader implications for the campaign.
Reflecting on the recent NARC anniversary screening, Brigante highlighted the overwhelming support from friends, including director Joe Carnahan and actor Jason Patric. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reciprocate the love and energy shared by attendees despite challenging weather conditions.
“I think the highlight personally was not only all the love and support from everyone, but it was also a chance for me to express my love back to people like my lady Melly, the guys Joe and Jason, and just to share the loving energy from everyone who came out from all over. There was a snow storm in Toronto and we still sold the event out. That’s magic right there.”
NARC Anniversary Screening event in Toronto, March 22 (Photo: 416PrinceBeatz)
Brigante also hinted at more collaborations with Carnahan in the future, expressing excitement for potential projects once he overcomes his health battle. Recounting his unexpected journey to landing a role in NARC, Brigante shared a humorous anecdote involving a surreal audition experience with the film’s other co-star, the late great Ray Liotta.
“It all started with a cold call from Joe, which I took as a prank call. I hung up once he told me he was a movie director,” Brigante explained.
“He called back and reassured me it was real. So I ended up in the audition room and was directed to sit on a chair across the room and to ‘start when the hot sauce goes into your eyes.’ And as I started to scream, a man with a white beard jumped out of his seat and basically attacked me. After a bunch of tussling, Joe screamed to stop. I looked up and realized the guy I was scraping with was Ray Liotta. It was a very surreal moment that I’m thankful didn’t turn ugly cause I wasn’t expecting that.”
A touching tribute to Liotta’s legacy was aired just prior to the movie screening. The Hollywood star passed away in his sleep on May 26, 2022.
Bishop Brigante at the NARC Anniversary Screening event in Toronto on March 22 (Photo: 416PrinceBeatz)
Along with members of the cast and crew, the NARC screening drew notable figures from the Toronto hip-hop scene, as well as NYC battle legend Iron Solomon.
“He’s been such a solid friend over the years and has become a brother to me,” said Bishop.
“The moment he knew about the event, he planned for New Vegas and himself to pull up. I love that guy man. He’s just the epitome of solid.”
Brigante’s resilience and dedication to advocating for change serve as an inspiration to all. Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to follow @ChangeTheEnds on Instagram.
You can check a recap of the NARC anniversry event below.
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