Sparsh Shah, who suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, recorded a rap of Eminem's 'Not Afraid' that has scored nearly two million views on YouTube Watch video
ISELIN -- It's not everyday you see someone rapping so confidently in such close proximity to a stuffed bear.
It may be one of the many reasons 12-year-old Sparsh Shah's recent video, a "clean" cover of Eminem's 2010 hit "Not Afraid," has inspired so many people in such a short time. In it, the young Iselin resident raps, sings and plays piano on his iPad, all with the self-assurance of a much more established musician.
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Another reason the video is making waves is because the previously-mentioned teddy bear is affixed to Shah's wheelchair. The young musician was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, an incurable disease that has left his bones brittle and fragile. According to Shah's Facebook page, "even a strong handshake can break his bones."
Since posting the video in January, Shah's cover has racked up over nearly two million views and gained the attention of news outlets and celebs, including Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
Just Tweeting This . Don't watch it , your loss ... https://t.co/qFOjjlICtG
-- Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) March 15, 2016
Alex Remnick may be reached at aremnick@njadvancemedia.com or on Twitter @AlexRemnick. Find NJ.com on Facebook.