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New Jersey native David Rush is quite a remarkable artist. Whilst other artists are battling to pursue a career David’s battle has been nothing less than harrowing as he has had to battle a potentially fatal kidney disease as well as pursue his passion for music and being a recording artist.

Hi David! Welcome to Rago Magazine. At the age of eight-years old you began freestyling with your older cousin. Can you tell us about those days of beating on those tables in the lunchroom and doing MC battles?

Legendary! [laughs] Only because it help me get the nerve up and was setting me up to be what I am today. The lunchroom would be filed with kids at least 30 of us, including teachers would could see me rap all period about anything they could think of and battle whoever wanted to go in! So it just was preparing me for my future.

Back then what artists were you listening to?

Wow, everyone Dmx, Jay-Z , Ja Rule, Onyx, Ruff Ryders, all R&B... I wanted be a singer like Usher, so I use to practice dancing and all that. [laughs] But I was into all music. I did theatre, chorus, acapella and choir, so I had a wide ear for all music.

When you first started making music you were known as Young Boss and were signed to Pitbull’s Mr 305 label after he heard your track ‘Go Girl’. Can you tell us about this?

I made "Go Girl" in Atlanta with soon to be all-star producer SoundZ who is known for "Love in the Club" remix with Usher, Lil Wayne and Beyonce, he really helped me developed as an artist. The track got into Pitbull's hands, we met up and the rest is history.

You’re now known as David Rush - why did you decide to change your name?

When I was going thru my whole sickness phase in the hospital, I felt myself changing as a person, I wanted to be different and wanted to start fresh, the music I started to do was also changing or "growing up" as I like to say, so I switched my name to David Rush. David being my real first name and Rush meaning the blood that rushed through my arm while doing dialysis.

In 2007 your whole world changed as doctors found out that you had Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FGS) – which is a scarring of the kidneys. How did this diagnosis come about? Did you feel ill or have any symptoms?

This specific type of diagnosis is one of the rarest, because you don't feel or see symptoms until it's almost too late. I didn’t really know I had failing kidneys until the last state of the diagnosis.

How did this affect you mentally, physically and musically?

Mentally I wanted to give up at first, but that didn't last long. I have a great support system, so between friends and family they wouldn't let me. Physically it was tough, but again, I had the right mind-set that I could still do anything and make my dreams a reality.

Despite your illness you still carried on releasing music and were signed by Universal Republic. How did you manage to maintain recording tracks such as club track "Shooting Star" and your mixtape Feel The Rush Volume 1: Signing Season? What was your daily routine back then?

It was tough, but I love doing music - it's a true passion, and I couldn't let this beat me. I invested in myself and was recording at home, teaching myself how to mix and record myself. I always had that advantage so I just capitalized on it as much as possible. My routine would be 6:00 am treatment for four hours - I'd write, edit, mix and even record during those hours. The when I got done - eat, shower and hit the studio for more, and probably have a show that night! I never wanted to make an excuse to not be able to continue music.

Your older brother Monsta donated a kidney, and in November 2010 you had your life-saving operation. How has life been for you since then?

Amazing! Me and my bro are down for life - love him to death. I have my full life back! I'm doing shows, recording shooting videos, and the biggest is my wife is pregnant with our first child! I can't wait to be a father!

You’ve documented your journey through the web series RUSH[ED] it’s quite emotional. People can watch it via your website www.feeltherush.tv. Tell us about that and why decided to document your journey.

I wanted to create awareness of kidney problems that people suffer from all over. And also to show people the truth behind my music, and document everything leading up to the surgery. It gets no realer then that! You can't script any of it.

What advice would you give to someone who is going through or knows someone who has a kidney disease such as FGS?

Keep god first, keep a positive attitude and a positive surrounding. That’s key! Maintain a healthy diet and stay active and never give up your dreams!

Whilst recovering from your operation you carried on recording and released Welcome to Rushia 2 and number 3 dropped today. Tell us about the series.

I love putting out music, and I believe as an artist you’re only as good as what you put out! The world loves to get things in quantity and quality - I try to provide both. I wanted to give my fans music to take them through the years from me. I treat mixtapes like albums - I'm very involved in all aspect of creating these, because It's me doing them it's just more music for the world and a challenge to me to keep coming up with new material to stay ahead!

Besides Welcome to Rushia, what other material have you being working on? What plans do you have for the rest of the 2011?

I'm currently working my newest single "Wake Up" produced by my homies AnT. I will also be featured on Pitbull's new album Planet Pit dropping June 21 on a track called "Took My Love." And I believe things can only get better so many things in the works I'm so excited!

Shout out your websites.

http://www.FeelTheRush.tv  and http://www.WelcometoRushia.com  - you can also find me on Twitter http://twitter.com/DavidRushOnline  and on Facebook http: http://www.Facebook.com/DavidRushOnline

Before I close this interview do you want to mention the ‘Kidney Walk’ and how people can donate to the National Kidney Foundation?

On June 5, 2011 in Trenton, New Jersey I'll be performing, and music will be provided by DJ Lnino who is also my DJ. Come out and support, you can visit my websites to join Team RUSH[ED] and make a donation or just go to our team page on KidneyWalk.org http://donate.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/DelawareValley?team_id=90071&pg=team&fr_id=3560 . Thank you in advance!

David Rush I want to thank you for doing this interview!

Thank you for having me!

Interview by Jai Boo

Feel free to download David Rush’s new mixtape “Welcome to Rushia Volume 3” which dropped today…link below.

Download Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?u28w9zdlmgam47a