Cat Janice, the 31-year-old D.C.-area singer who released a viral song dedicated to her son while battling an aggressive form of cancer, died Wednesday, according to her family.
Born Catherine Janice Ipsan, the alt-pop singer in January released “Dance You Outta My Head,” a song she knew might be her last. The track, proceeds from which were directed to Janice’s 7-year-old son, was shared across the world, spurring thousands of TikTok posts and even appearing on a Billboard chart earlier this month.
Janice had sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and was in hospice care in her childhood home in Annandale, Va., when she died Wednesday morning, surrounded by family members.
“She was able to pass in peace knowing that the song, and her music as a whole, would continue to provide for her son,” said Will Ipsan, Janice’s brother.
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Janice had taken her cancer battle “head on,” Ipsan said, resolving to fight as long as she could and hold her loved ones close as she faced her final days.
“It just really is a testament to her fearlessness,” Ipsan said.
It was during those final days when Janice decided she would release “Dance You Outta My Head.” The song was inspired by a moment she shared with her son, Loren, last year, when they had both sung “Dance until you love me” repeatedly as she drove.
Janice wasn’t sure she would be alive when the song came out, she told The Washington Post earlier this year.
“I just kind of did it, and now here we are,” Janice said. “And honestly, it’s a miracle.”
For Janice, seeing her song’s success had been, for a short time, a reminder of experiences she would never get to have with her music — go on a tour, release more albums, win big-name music awards. But those quickly seemed much smaller as she neared the end of her life, Ipsan said.
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“That was the realization she came to,” Ipsan said. “And something way more special than any of that fun stuff is just knowing that her music had a much greater impact in being able to provide for her son while she’s gone, but also her story and the song left this level of positivity and inspiration for so many people.”
On Wednesday morning, Ipsan and other family members gathered around Janice as she took what they knew were her final breaths.
Ipsan leaned down and held her in an embrace. He recalled telling her “I love you” and that her son would be okay.
More of Janice’s music will be released in the future, he said.
One song is a lullaby for her son.
Marisa Iati contributed to this report.
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