Sheikh Haikel has revealed that he has Stage 4 colon cancer and has been battling the disease for more than a year.
The Singaporean rapper-businessman, who turns 51 in October, shared the news in an Instagram video today (Sept 4) with the caption: “If I meet you and we say hi, let me give you the final applause to say thank you.”
He said in the clip: “I feel I have done it all in front of y’all. I became Sheikh Haikel the rapper, I represented the country, won the competition, I built a family — all in front of your eyes. So, it is only fair that I share this part of my life with you.
“It is not something nice, (what) I’m about to share, but I think it is something necessary.”
Fighting back tears, he revealed: “With the heaviest of hearts, I would like to tell everyone who is watching this that I have fourth stage cancer.”
He also apologised to his wife, local singer-actress Anna Belle Francis, 48, whom he said had kept his diagnosis under wraps per his request.
“There were many of you who asked her and she said, ‘Yes, he is fine,’ at that point when I was not, and still am not.”
He explained that he is revealing his diagnosis now because he hasn’t been feeling well recently and “didn’t want something to happen without me telling everybody”.
Sheikh and Ashidiq Ghazali, collectively the rap duo Construction Sight, made headlines in 1991 when they won Asia Bagus, a regional televised music competition by Japanese television station Fuji TV. They later parted ways to focus on their own solo projects.
Sheikh and Anna Belle tied the knot in 2000 and have three children — daughter Triqka and sons Abbra and Juz.
Despite the diagnosis, he remained positive and said that sharing his journey has made him feel better.
“I would like everybody to know that I am gonna give it my best shot,” he said. “I ain’t going nowhere anytime soon.”
He also thanked his loved ones, saying: “I love you Belle, Triqka, Abbra, and Juz. Thank you for everything, everyone.”
Sheikh was diagnosed more than a year ago and has undergone surgery, but had kept the news within the family to avoid worrying others, Anna Belle told Berita Harian over the phone today.
However, the cancer has reportedly spread aggressively to his liver.
Despite the difficulties, Sheikh, who is currently resting at home, told the Malay newspaper that he does not want the diagnosis to mark the end of his life and career.
He reportedly intends to continue working throughout his treatment and plans to launch a new podcast titled Final Applause to share his experiences and treatment journey.
Sheikh and Anna Belle opened their halal-certified Hainanese chicken rice shop Hai Ge Ji — now located at Bussorah Street — in July 2024 and have since expanded with two halal-certified Hai Ge Ji Beef Noodles outlets in Yishun and Plaza Singapore’s Kopitiam Food Hall.
The couple told CNA Lifestyle in an article today that they are glad to continue serving customers and friends at the new outlet and are committed to keeping the business going.
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esther.lam@asiaone.com
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