Making a Rap Album in 30 Days Gave Me Gout
After 24 hours of shooting a music video for my upcoming rap album debut, I couldn’t walk. A sharp pain in my left foot was excruciating.
This happened to me before. I moved the Colorado last year and started walking more in flip-flops.
I thought that was the cause, but unlike before, this pain wouldn’t go away. No matter how much rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) I tried.
The 30-Day Rap Album Challenge
On July 1st, 2016, I started an ambitious challenge: to produce and sell a rap album in 30 days.
I’ve been making rap music since 2001. I’ve become somewhat known for making rap videos about hustling, podcasting, and pool maintenance.
The first week was all about producing beats using Logic Pro X on my iMac. I used a Shure SM7B mic connected to a USB mixing board for vocals and instruments, and a MIDI keyboard for piano.
The next two weeks I spent writing hooks and lyrics.
I also wanted to collaborate. I reached out to my small list of MoneyLab.co subscribers. Turns out there were quite a few talented people who wanted to help.
During the final week of the challenge I built the landing/sales page to sell the album. I also made a behind-the-scenes video and a music video.
This is where the foot pain started.
“The Boss” Music Video Injury
It was the last stretch of the challenge. I finished filming myself for a music video for my first single, “The Boss.” I edited the new footage with some crowdsourced stuff.
Meanwhile, under my desk my foot was starting to hurt. It wasn’t until later that night when I finally decided to watch Batman Vs. Superman (which I liked despite all the negative reviews) did I experience full-blown foot pain.
That night, I didn’t get much sleep. The pain was intense, but I had to finish the album.
I had one more song to finish. I had to master the album. I had to finish editing the music video. I had to finish and publish the landing/sales page. I had to set up the Facebook Ad marketing campaign.
All while I was in pain. My foot wrapped in ice packs and elevated above my heart. Thanks WebMD!
Pre Album Launch Doctor Appointment
I had two days to rest before the album dropped. I decided to make an appointment because my foot wasn’t getting any better after four days.
I hobbled my way to the doctor’s office located on the 2nd floor (literally adding insult to injury).
After the podiatrist twisted my foot and pulled on my toes, he told me I had localized gout.
What the fuck!? What am I, 64 years old? Gout is for old people in the 1700’s like Ben Franklin!
I may have injured my big toe while jumping around barefoot in my office filming the music video. Uric acid crystalized in my big toe joint causing what feels like shards of glass when I moved.
Uric acid hardens at 93 degrees fahrenheit. So fuck me for putting ice packs on my swollen foot.
According to Wikipedia, causes of elevated uric acid levels include:
— Serum uric acid can be elevated due to reduced excretion by the kidneys.
— Fasting or rapid weight loss can temporarily elevate uric acid levels.
During the last 30 days of this challenge, I didn’t drink alcohol and followed a Paleo diet to lose weight. So fuck me for getting healthier, too.
Dropping The Album and Healing My Foot
On Tuesday August 2nd 2016 (a day after my foot doctor visit), my rap album dropped. I had over 10,000 views on the rap video and made $1,000 on the album in the last 24 hours. Great news!
More good news is my foot is getting better. I can walk now.
As I’m writing this, however, my foot’s wrapped in heat packs. We don’t have a microwave so I’m boiling heat packs like it’s the 1700’s and I’m Ben Franklin.
So fuck me, right?
