US singer Cat Janice, who found fame on TikTok, has died of cancer aged 31.
Janice, who released the song Dance You Outta My Head from hospice care, had been diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare cancer of the bones or soft tissue, in March 2022.
She revealed during treatment she had transferred the rights to her music to her seven-year-old son, Loren.
Her family said they were “eternally thankful for the outpouring of love” they had received.
“Cat saw her music go places she never expected and rests in the peace of knowing that she will continue to provide for her son through music,” they said.
“This would not have been possible without all of you.”
Since she released Dance Outta My Head, in the first week of this year, it has stopped the TikTok Billboard Top 50 and reached the top 10 of Billboard’s dance and electronic chart.
Cat Janice with her seven-year-old son, Loren, in January
Her music video has also had 57 million views online.
Janice, whose real name is Catherine Ipsan, started writing and producing music as a teenager, which she released in her 20s.
She kept her social media followers up to date with her treatment after being diagnosed.
Four months later, after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Janice was told she was cancer-free – but the disease returned to her lungs in June 2023.
‘Bring joy’
In a message to her followers, she posted: “I’ve got the rough news that cancer has won.
“I’ve fought hard but sarcomas are too tough.
“I reset all my music to go to my son. And I wanted to put out one more song for my birthday.
“I want my last song to bring joy and fun.
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted through my battle with cancer.”
In another video update, she told her followers her “tumours tripled overnight”.
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She said she was leaving her songs “behind for my son” and encouraged her followers to download her music to help secure his financial future.
Janice, who was from Washington DC, spent her final weeks at home baking and making music when she felt strong enough, according to the New York Times.
Her husband, Kyle Higginbotham, said he hoped her music career would be remembered as more than a “sob story.”
“It’s not just, some girl made a song because she’s dying of cancer,” he said.
“Cat’s a real-deal artist and poured every minute of her life into it, right up until the end.”
Story by Obaapa Janee
Source: BBC
