South African hip-hop star Da LES, real name Leslie Mampe, has opened up about life after a stroke that nearly cost him everything.
Just months after celebrating his 40th birthday, the rapper is showing fans his road to recovery and proving that even in the toughest times, there’s room for resilience.
Stroke Strikes on His 39th Birthday
The health scare happened in July 2024, right on what was supposed to be a milestone day—his 39th birthday.
Instead of popping champagne at one of his famous Bryanston mansion parties, Da LES found himself fighting for his life.
A Glimpse Into His Recovery
Fast forward to now, and the North God hitmaker is letting his followers see how far he has come.
In a recent TikTok video, he shared clips of himself in physical therapy, learning to walk again with the help of a trainer.
“My kind of therapy,” he captioned the post, pairing it with hashtags like #strokesurvivor and #physicaltherapy.
Currently, Da LES is based in the US, where he’s receiving care under the watchful eye of his mother.
Breaking His Silence
Back in June, Da LES gave fans a more detailed look at his journey when he posted a heartfelt video on his YouTube channel.
The emotional footage showed him unconscious in a hospital bed, followed by raw moments of his rehabilitation.
“People thought I was going to die, but I made it,” he admitted in the clip.
Sharing his story, he said, wasn’t just about himself—it was about encouraging others who might be going through similar struggles.
A Hard Reality Check
The rapper reflected on how quickly life can change:
“S**t’s real. It can happen to anybody. One minute you’re cool like me, the next, you experience the worst.
I feel like my life has changed. But it ain’t the end. This is bigger than me.”
He revealed that he only became aware of what had happened after waking up in the hospital a full month after the stroke.
“It’s nothing that you can control,” he added. “I’m just lucky to be alive.”
A Story Bigger Than Music
Known for his music and his larger-than-life parties, Da LES now finds himself in a very different spotlight.
His openness about survival and recovery is resonating with fans who see more than just a performer—they see a man fighting for a second chance at life.