Christopher “Kid” Reid, one half of the legendary hip-hop duo Kid ‘N Play, recently shared his experience of undergoing a heart transplant in 2025.
During an appearance on “Good Morning America” on February 5, Reid offered an honest and heartfelt account of his health journey, reflecting on the life-changing procedure and his renewed perspective.
Reid explained that his health issues began the previous July, when a trip to the emergency room led to a diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Initially treated with medication, his condition continued to worsen.
This prompted a visit to his cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Further tests revealed that the heart failure was starting to impact the function of other organs, leading doctors to rush Reid to the ICU and conclude that a heart transplant was urgently needed.
Recognizing the severity of his condition, Reid was placed on an emergency transplant list. His cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Laura DiChiacchio, described the situation as a critical state of “life or death.”
Just nine days after being added to the list, a donor heart became available, and Reid underwent the transplant procedure.
Now in recovery, Reid expressed his immense gratitude for his second chance at life. He shared that he is focusing on embracing a healthier and more meaningful future.
“I hope that I’m the same person, but that I’m a better version of myself,” he stated. “Because man, this thing, this is a beautiful life.”
In sharing his journey, Reid hopes to inspire others to prioritize their health, particularly within communities like his own.
“A lot of people be walking around with heart disease because they don’t go to the doctor,” he said. “So I’m urging all of my fans, all of y’all’s loved ones too — get it checked out.”
Reid is working on a memoir about his transformative experience, titled “Heart Of The Matter”. The book will delve deeper into his health struggles and recovery process in hopes of raising awareness and offering encouragement to others facing similar challenges.
