DETROIT – A 7-year-old Detroit boy got a birthday surprise from his favorite rapper after losing both his arms in a dog attack earlier this year.
Romell Frazier Jr. got a birthday call from Kendrick Lamar and a surprise invitation to come visit the rapper in Los Angeles at his 7th birthday party Friday evening.
“What’s up man, how you feeling?” Lamar asked Romell over the phone.
“Good,” he replied.
Romell was attacked by two pit bulls in March in Detroit and underwent a double amputation. His mother, Preshauna Jones, said the dogs also badly injured his legs, including damage to his right calf and part of his left foot. She spent months at his side through multiple surgeries and rehabilitation.
After returning home, Romell had one request. He wanted his favorite rapper, Kendrick Lamar, to come to his birthday.
“I’m glad you reached out. I’m glad I got to talk to you,” Lamar said.
The rapper also shared some words of encouragement.
“You continue to be great, continue to keep that smile on your face,” Lamar said. “You’re giving us a whole lot of inspiration with how strong you are.”
Jones said her son will need more surgery before he can start using prosthetics and has had to relearn everyday tasks. Still, she says through it all, he’s had an unbreakable spirit.
“He doesn’t be sad, he doesn’t be complaining about being in pain,” she said. “He is as happy as can be.”
“It goes to show how great of a parent you are and the household you got for him,” Lamar told Jones. “He had that smile on him, and he’s just pushing and he’s showing that strength.”
A GoFundMe has been created to help Romell’s family navigate his recovery.