Tibrina Hobson/Getty ImagesRapper Ahmad Givens, aka Real, star of the VH1 reality dating game show Real Chance of Love, has died at age 33 after battling colon cancer for almost two years.
The news was announced on Saturday by multiple outlets and by his brother and co-star Kamal "Chance" Givens. The two are rappers in the group Stallionaires.
Chance posted a touching tribute to his brother on Instagram.
Real had six days ago posted a photo of the two on his own page, It shows him fist-bumping. Real appears to be laying on a bed.
"Love you to @stallionaireschance bro 4 Eva!" he said.
Real is also survived by two more brothers, his mother, grandmother, his wife of four years, Racquel Givens, and their son.
He and Chance appeared together on two seasons of Real Chance of Love, starting in 2008. They had made their reality show debuts on the VH1 dating series I Love New York in 2007 and also starred in Real and Chance: The Legend Hunters in 2010. Real also appeared on the cable network's show I Love Money.
Real had felt ill in January 2013, suffering flu-like symptoms, and was misdiagnosed several times before he was told in March 2013 that he had stage 4 colon cancer. He told UrbanDaily.com in early 2014 that his doctor was too emotional to deliver the news and that another one did so in her place, telling him, "You have about two weeks to live. I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do for you."
Real told the website that his mother was with him at the time and that he had to call his wife and tell her the news, which was the hardest part.
Almost exactly one year ago, he penned a moving tribute to his wife on Instagram, saying, "If it wasn't for this beautiful woman, I don't know where if be or if I would be doing as well as I'm doing."
He underwent chemotherapy and at least two surgeries to remove cancerous cells in his colon and liver. He was also treated for a brain tumor, according to UrbanDaily.com.
"God was number one and my family was number two," he said. "God just really blessed me with abreast strong support system. I just kept a positive outlook. And on those days when I was down, I didn't let anybody see that because I didn't want them to get down. My son kept me going because I knew he needed me and I needed him so I fought to be here for him."
He often sought comfort by visiting horses. He and his brothers were raised on a ranch in Northern California, where his father bred Arabian horses.
"I needed to get out and be with these peaceful creatures," he said in an Instagram video. "They always make me feel better."
Real often posted updates about his health on Instagram.
In December, he shared a post-operation photo showing him sporting a large vertical scar, or "battle wound," on his torso and stomach.
"I don't let this stuff bring me down," he wrote. "I just roll with the punches."