RnB Singer Puff Johnson Dies of Cervical Cancer
Puff Johnson. Photo: MTV Base.
American R&B singer Puff Johnson has passed away after a five-year battle with cervical cancer. She died in the US on the 24th of June, 2013 at the age of 40. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008.
Johnson was born on the 10th of December, 1972 in the city of Detroit in Michigan, USA. She rose to fame in 1996 after releasing the album “Miracle”, which featured popular hits like “Forever more”, “Over and Over”, “God Sent You” and “True Meaning of Love”. In the 90s she collaborated with several artists including Somethin’ for the People, Tupac, and others.
“In 1997, Johnson toured Europe as an opening act for Michael Jackson and 3T. That year, her debut album was certified silver in the UK, Miracle reached Top 40 in the Netherlands and the single ‘Over & Over’ hit the Top 20″ (Wikipedia).
Although Puff Johnson had not released another album since 1996, she was still popular among R&B fans in South Africa and around the world thanks to her timeless music.
According to her Wikipedia biography, she came to South Africa in January 2009 to do a concert in Johannesburg. After receiving a warm welcome in the country, she decided to stay and become a South African citizen, saying she had never met people as friendly and welcoming as South Africans.
Ishmael Morabe and Puff Johnson at the 2009 MTN South African Music Awards. Picture: Thabane Maja
Unfortunately, it is said that the songstress did not have the “proper documentation”, and Home Affairs had to deport her in 2010.
However, it is also reported that she stayed in South Africa for more than two years and only decided to return to the US in order to spend time with her friends and family when she was no longer responding well to chemotherapy.
Puff Johnson’s American fiancé Kip Collins, who was a music producer, died in 2006 in a motorcycle accident. While she was living in South Africa, Johnson dated South African singer Ishmael Morabe. At that time, Ishmael was reportedly fighting his drug addiction.
It is reported that Ishmael’s drug addiction ruined their relationship and he was unable to look after her while she was sick. Today, after learning of Johnson’s death, Ishmael Tweeted: “May her wonderful soul rest in peace, @ least the pain is gone. Puff puff pass!”
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Monica
Jun 25, 2013 at 5:12 pm
I will always love her. This is so sad. May she rest in peace 🙁
Petunia
Jun 25, 2013 at 5:56 pm
May Her Soul Rest In Peace,she will always be remembered….
Ruth
Jun 25, 2013 at 6:13 pm
I’m really saddened by this. I loved this lady. RIP luv.
Kelebogile
Jun 25, 2013 at 6:16 pm
May her soul rest in peace, ts sad tha shes gone, love her miracles album i dont know how may tyms i lost &bought that album
thato kgwantha
Jun 25, 2013 at 6:21 pm
I loved her like she is my sister I have all her songs I will truly miss her voice
bongs100
Jun 26, 2013 at 12:15 am
Since you have all her songs, her voice will never leave you.
Patrick Natte Kasomahhashi
Jun 25, 2013 at 6:55 pm
dats a big lost
nkule sibiiya
Jun 25, 2013 at 7:12 pm
I realised that you were so special, may your soul rest in peace
sinky r fani.
Jun 25, 2013 at 7:22 pm
i will mis her beauty when singing.please help me im falling……….wow puffy.rest in peace.
Mlo
Jun 25, 2013 at 7:24 pm
I cant believe an angel was among us in SA and I didn’t know until she was gone. So sad…
Tholoana Mpho
Jun 25, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Im only seventeen nd i love all her songs though she rose to fame around the tym i was born.. Her death hs really touchd me… I was shockd to learn about it as i had no idea she suffrd of cancer… May her soul rest in peace… Bye bye puff puff
Vicky
Jun 25, 2013 at 8:20 pm
May your soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace Puff…your are one of the angels now…
Slindile
Jun 25, 2013 at 8:39 pm
So sad:( may your soul rest in peace Puffy, your beautiful voice will remain with us.
samora
Jun 25, 2013 at 8:48 pm
I’m lost for words puffy,such a beautiful soul,u were trully a God send,like u said“God sent you to love and comfort me”,your music really comforted me n many many others
May you rest in peace my sister
windy
Jun 25, 2013 at 9:41 pm
I love u where ever you are,I love the true meaning of love frm her album may your soul rest in peace,love always
Jacs
Jun 25, 2013 at 9:42 pm
My your soul rest in peace Puff, may God send His angels to take you to a safe plaace. “God sent you” my favourite song of old times
sandra ismail
Jun 25, 2013 at 10:11 pm
awwww im truly sad, May her soul rest in peace. An amazing singer…..
TheGlo
Jun 25, 2013 at 10:19 pm
Rest in Peace Puff Puff,loved ur music!!!Forever More *singing*
tebogo
Jun 25, 2013 at 10:27 pm
i hate to say this but i cant accept u gone sister
may your soul rest in peace and your music will always heal our hearts
zamzo
Jun 25, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Ur music has healed our souls nd now its ur turn to be healed may the almighty God be with u all the way, u wl always be luvd
Boledi
Jun 25, 2013 at 11:27 pm
Whenever im hurt i knew that there was someone to lift me up,she was indeed a songbird,she is at peace…Heaven has just received an angel!
SHAVI
Jun 25, 2013 at 11:46 pm
MAY UR SOUL REST IN PEACE..
chuchuchrains
Jun 26, 2013 at 12:41 am
R.I.P. Puff
lorraine
Jun 26, 2013 at 1:01 am
May ur soil rest in peace Puffy puffy . We ll always love u $ ur music
Tshidi Motrax
Jun 26, 2013 at 1:54 am
All condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. Another artist had fallen. Sad indeed more than words can express. May ur soul rest in peace. ur soul lives thru ur music…
Shirley Malatji
Jun 26, 2013 at 5:24 am
R.I.P. to our sistah Puff Johnson a beautiful spirit. A beautiful voice now a beautiful Angel.*Please Help I’m falling….*Singing
Yvonne
Jun 26, 2013 at 5:54 am
May she rest in peace
Mahlompho
Jun 26, 2013 at 6:05 am
#tears rolling out#i stil cnt blv wat m reading yaz,i mean her voice waz so so pure n magical …every tme i listen 2 her music ma mind jst go far away 4rm wer i am,may her soul rest in peace n i’l always love her
nomvuyo sipunzi gwambes
Jun 26, 2013 at 6:19 am
MAy her soul rest in peace she was truly an angel
Kay meister
Jun 26, 2013 at 7:22 am
We will always love you..go well
Matimbas
Jun 26, 2013 at 7:57 am
GOD SENT YOU…
Dikeledi
Jun 26, 2013 at 8:31 am
I cannot believe we lost such a wonderful and romantic person. My deepest condolences to her family. May her soul rest in peace. I will forever love you Puff Johnson”forever more’……..
Tim
Jun 26, 2013 at 8:36 am
I wish I had a chance to date her while she was here in SA. I would have taken good care of her.
margy
Jun 26, 2013 at 9:19 am
May her soul Rest in Peace,we will always luv and mis HER
Ntsoaki
Jun 26, 2013 at 9:58 am
may her soul rest in peace
Moagi kabelo
Jun 26, 2013 at 10:16 am
I didn knw up until i hear it 4rm metro bcuz i last heard dt she ws in S.A but may ur soul rest in peace ur voice is 4eva with us big sis!
bulie
Jun 26, 2013 at 11:29 am
Rest in peace Puff, forever more you will be remembered.
chella
Jun 26, 2013 at 12:40 pm
rest in peace girl….your music will be missed.
candy
Jun 26, 2013 at 6:25 pm
God send U and HE took u, GOD knows our times. And no one can change it except GOD. R.I.P, I still have your CD miracle, I’ll always remember U with it.
innocent
Jun 26, 2013 at 8:19 pm
i loved her music very much.i wil always remember u puff j. rest in peace.forever more
kagiso
Jun 26, 2013 at 8:54 pm
I_dnt_hve_anything_to_say_bt_dt_il_forevalve_u_RIP
leetee millie
Jun 26, 2013 at 9:15 pm
ooooooooooops am real hurt,i realy lve hr nd hr music deeply.RIP songbird u touched our hearts……….my deeply condolesence to hr family mostly nd hr followers…ul alwys b missed
Mavusana
Jun 26, 2013 at 11:20 pm
Rest In Peace my sister PJ,forever more you’ll be in our thoughts.
adelaide lekoledi
Jun 27, 2013 at 7:01 am
May her soul rest in piece,still love her so much:(
Ntaoleng
Jun 27, 2013 at 7:31 am
I grew up listening to her..Singing along to her music frm the age of eleven..Im saddened we’ve lost big tym. may her soul be in peace.
j
Sciber
Jun 28, 2013 at 2:20 am
Its amazing how her passing has really saddend some of us. I feel like she connected more with us South Africans since she stayed here for years. I luv you so much & may your soul & spirit be at peace.
siphindile
Jun 28, 2013 at 8:24 am
:'(:'( may your soul rest in peace in gods warm hand will miss u and always be loved
nonhlanhla
Jun 28, 2013 at 6:21 pm
May her soul rest in piece, love the song True meaning of love #sada#
Psychology
Jun 29, 2013 at 4:53 pm
I love you Ewanya ‘Puff’ Johnson. You gave us so much than we can imagine. Your music is Godly, with the power of healing, awakening, illuminating and inspiration. May Grace grace you with the Lily and beyond. Shine On with Light of the Creator throughout the universe. Love you infinitely.
Puleng Molete
Jun 29, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Rest in peace PJ shoooo! I can’t believe this hau bathong!!
roti Xavier kaila
Jun 29, 2013 at 8:37 pm
May ur good soul rest god’s peace!!!!!!!!
ella
Jun 29, 2013 at 8:42 pm
May ur good soul rest in perfect peace,4 ever luv u big sis!!!!!!
Antoine Odom
Jun 29, 2013 at 10:53 pm
I will truly miss you and all the great time we had together all over the world we traveled and partied hard…R.I.P. Puff Johnson your cousin Antoine Odom will always keep your memory alive…I promise and regardless…you were and still is a very special part of me..fun times and great memories even though we fought like cat and dogs..!!
Laila
Jun 30, 2013 at 12:11 am
Thank you for your wonderful music, May your soul rest in peace dear
Ruth
Jun 30, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Listening to Metro FM. They are playing all her songs. She was really good. What a voice. I feel like crying…
judith
Jun 30, 2013 at 1:58 pm
wow dis hurts i just heard today dat she left us wat i beautiful soul nd great music she made wow it hurts so bad im even cryng i feel liyk i lost sumthng dat is a part of my happiness
Nhlanhla K
Jun 30, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Very sad :'( too sad, will pray for her soul, God Sent U best song made. Will love u Forever More. Really saddened.
tumie mphuthi
Jul 1, 2013 at 11:54 am
wow !! Gone too soon though**
may her soul rest in peace…deepest condolecence to her family
Ansa
Jul 2, 2013 at 12:49 am
I still cry over her whenever i play her music. Loved her madly. Now i figure heaven its an enjoyable place took away her, my luther vandross, Witney keep asking myself who gonna bless me..sad
Nomfundo Shezi
Jul 5, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Jst lost my mom in february,my granny in may nd now my sister Puff j…ay itz sad,but god alwayz haz a purpose,he givez nd he takes,thatz jst da way nature operates..may her soul rest in peace darling…
jabulani bugaluv
Jul 7, 2013 at 6:31 pm
i nvr knw dat she past on sad 4 dayz tear drop.
tshenolo
Jul 8, 2013 at 12:38 pm
What a sweet girl,with a beautiful woman,may her soul rest in peace
Tintswalo Mabunda
Jul 9, 2013 at 4:23 pm
May your soul rest in peace Puff Johnson.
chase
Sep 12, 2013 at 6:44 am
I am sadden to have found out about this tragedy trying to locate a copy of her cd ” Miracle”. I have listened to her music from the beginning of her career and through her transition. What a beautiful spirit and a pleasant soul of Puff Johnson. This feels as if I have lost a family member and a dear friend. For the Lord knows best ! Puff Johnson may you rest in peace and gracefully present with the Lord. I will continue to listen to your peaceful and encouraging words/lyrics.
Carmoo
Nov 3, 2013 at 7:51 pm
I’m still shocked abt her death, didn’t realize that she was going through so much pain… Miss u Miss PJ!!!…
monty chieza
Dec 11, 2013 at 7:34 am
Dont know how I missed such news..she was one of my best artist to emerge from the nineties.. Am so pained.. Rip puff
siphamandla
Feb 16, 2014 at 5:31 am
R……..I………….p. Puff johnson. Thank you for your wonderful music
Mokete Jollity
Apr 17, 2014 at 9:40 pm
May she rest peacefully. We will Forever More love and miss her Angelic voice. She was truly a God Sent. It is so sad that we lost her, but keep singing with the Angels Puffy!!
katlego
May 17, 2014 at 6:39 pm
rest Rip..i nrver knew,you were gone!
Jacob Moleleki
Jul 29, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Your may be gone but your music remains an inspiration to us. May your soul rest in peace.
Jacob Moleleki
Jul 29, 2014 at 8:07 pm
You may be gone but your music remains an inspiration to us. May your soul rest in peace.
sibusiso dior nkosi
Aug 26, 2014 at 3:57 pm
just had the news today its very so sad (r.i.p)
Gman
Sep 5, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Rest in peace my African sister. My ears are still serenaded by your sweet music.
Ms.Licia
Sep 21, 2014 at 12:23 am
I searched and searched for you just to one day look for your song “God sent you” on YouTube where I saw “Rest in Peace Puff Johnson” I was like what? So I hurried and clicked on it; I was so crushed at the facts that I just started crying like I am now it’s like yesterday when I saw it. I miss you voice, your songs, and the person I believed you to be may God bless and keep you songstress!
John Arthur Jr.
Sep 21, 2014 at 5:03 am
I just read about this today when I was checking google to see how many albums after Miracle have she made. I see that it states she was born in Detroit Michigan. But it doesn’t state where she died at.
Nozopho felicia kubheka
Apr 9, 2015 at 8:17 pm
I jst recently heard the most tragic news that the sweet puff Jonhson had passed away 2years ago and i felt a trauma..(sigh) and wat shocked me’ she was residing here for 2years and dating Ishmael “wow dat was so sweet” but wat i realy wanna say to all her fans and family “puff jonhson will linger in our mind and heart,and she will leave in legacy prior she realy captured our heart’s and changed the atmosphere and brought love to existence….Thank u puff may your soul rest in peace…….
Melody Ziile
Apr 17, 2015 at 12:31 am
She died a day before MJ died, how come we never heard of her death? It so disturbing to learn that one of my favourite singer dead 2 years ago. May her soul rest in peace. Will miss you dearly.
seny vidim
Apr 18, 2015 at 11:36 am
Eish wat a woman with a songbird voice,beauty was her nd charm was her second naam,I’m supprise dat she no longer with us.I loved her music dearly.
Modise Motsamai
Jun 10, 2015 at 6:01 pm
RIP Puff, you will be forever missed. I still keep listening to your music when I need some soulful inspiration. Forever my favorite..
Gugu
Aug 18, 2015 at 9:05 pm
R.i.p puffy god sent u to love,lovely song
Khumo
Dec 17, 2015 at 11:33 pm
We South Africans honour r dead, n since she became S.Afrcan by spendin tym wit us n sharin her heart with us thru her music. Puff Johnson wil always b missd n fondly remembrd. RIP child of da soul
Elvis Mulovhedzi
Dec 21, 2015 at 12:47 am
May your soul Rest in peace Puff..at least I know I have an angel I’ll call by name when I come that side..Mulalo
Elvis Mulovhedzi
Dec 21, 2015 at 12:50 am
I lost my mother to this devil cancer..my sisters said I have killed her..
Sewela
Mar 20, 2016 at 8:27 pm
Puff i remember meetin u at femina hospital in prwtorua we were both goin to be booked for operation and u told me to be strong and today u left without goodbye….but i had a good time meeting u..2009 sept was the month i met u in persin…i luv u and rest in peace till we meet again ..and i m still fightin the desease
nicholson
Dec 1, 2016 at 7:37 pm
may her soul rest in peace i will surely miss her
Lynne
Apr 30, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Her songs touched ones soul to the core,what a loss but God knows best R.I.P.
banele
Aug 1, 2017 at 9:33 am
rip
Sanele Nhlabathi
Oct 24, 2017 at 3:44 pm
May her soul rest in peace. My condolences to her family and friends. Some kind of Miracle is my favourite song
Yani
Dec 12, 2017 at 5:13 pm
My fav song “Forever More”
Thanks & RIP
PORTIA
Feb 5, 2018 at 2:16 pm
MY favourate song true meaning of love will forever love n miss u PUFF
Anonymous
Feb 23, 2018 at 9:12 pm
Rest in peace Puff Johnson we will always remember you
all your albums are rocking we will always remember you by them 😔😔😔😔
Fay
Oct 2, 2018 at 8:32 pm
I surely missed you today I wish I could organize your come back home party but your in our father’s warm hands I know your healed and all is in the past I can’t wait to see you sing again till we meet again love you still
#forevermore
#PuffJohnson
Baluh
Nov 7, 2018 at 8:32 pm
I am listening to ur song: True meaning of Love… RIP sweet angel,u are missed.
spenza
Feb 14, 2019 at 11:47 am
Rest in peace my African sister. My ears are still serenaded by your sweet music.God send you ur still my angel
Dan
Feb 14, 2019 at 11:54 am
on valentine’s day still remember you true meaning of love RIP my B
Walter
Mar 20, 2019 at 3:22 pm
pliz rest in peace
George Morai - South Africa
Apr 13, 2019 at 1:20 pm
I hope to see you singing out your heart with God’s Angels up in Heaven when I leave this planet Puff. You were God sent to touch our hearts. Rest in peace.
George Morai - South Africa
Apr 13, 2019 at 1:24 pm
The world is still learning about your departure up to this date, and the pain is endless. We cant wait to see you in heaven when we arrive. RIP
sello
Jul 31, 2019 at 8:57 am
You can run you can hide
Run into these arms of mine
I will help you understand the true meaning of love
You can laugh you can cry
And you know I’ll be by your side
I will help you understand the true meaning of love
Michael Gombe
Apr 5, 2020 at 2:53 pm
May Her Soul continue resting in peace
sihle zingelwa
Apr 7, 2021 at 10:52 pm
she’s one of the greatest her music will live forever rest in paradise sweet angel🙏🏽 gone but will never be forgotten
Mike
Jan 18, 2022 at 2:38 pm
I still listen to your music, may you rest in peace you always on our minds
Ginah Nyangu
Jun 29, 2023 at 11:10 pm
I will help you understand the true meaning of Love …. What a voice. C.R.I.P Puff Johnson.
Kamogelo Sebolai
Jun 12, 2024 at 2:36 pm
I have your song “True Meaning of Love” on repeat. Rest In Peace Puff Johnson.