American R&B singer Puff Johnson on Monday succumbed to cervical cancer. She was 40 years old.
Born Ewanya Johnson in Detroit, Michigan, Johnson made her mark on the music scene with her singles “Forever More” and “Over and Over”. Her debut album, Miracle, was released in 1996 to critical acclaim.
Over the course of her career, Johnson worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including American Idol judge Randy Jackson. Her vocals were also featured on the Tupac Shakur hit “Me Against the World”. In 1997, she opened for Michael Jackson on a European tour.
Johnson was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008.
In 2009, following a concert in Johannesburg, Johnson decided to stay in South Africa.
"I have never met a people as friendly and welcoming as South Africans...," she said at the time. However, in 2010, she was deported, with Home Affair officials labelling her an “undesirable” because she had stayed in South Africa for a year without the proper documentation. - IOL