FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A South Florida recovery center is getting help from a local rapper to spread awareness about the foundation’s mission.

Rapper Flo Rida took the stage at Recovery Unplugged Treatment Center in hopes of inspiring others.

The center uses music therapy to help patients heal from drugs and alcohol addictions.

Richie Supa, who is a songwriter, who worked with Aerosmith among others, is also the director of Recovery Unplugged. “I was an addict in the ’70s and ’80s,” Supa said. “I know them, I know how they feel, I know their pain. We’re saving lives, man, and it’s better than any Prism Award, Grammy that I was ever involved with.”

He uses lyrics that resonate with the patients and the healing power of song. “I go in, we play songs. We talk about the lyrics,” Supa said. “Some of the clients cry, and we touch their souls.”

Flo Rida, born Tramar Dillard, spoke with the crowd about his humble beginnings. “A struggling artist, it was so many things that I went through,” he said.

“I’m a guy who’s here today because of the fact that I feel obligated that I was a struggling artist, but I never gave up,” said Flo Rida, “No matter how much money I had in my pocket, how much food on the table, I never gave up. I hope that’s what they get from me coming out here, speaking to them.”

Patients are being mentored through words and the language of music.

Recovery Unplugged treats about 70 patients.

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