After enduring months of discomfort in the shoulder region, Dizzle JA sought medical attention. Routine blood tests were positive, but when the pain intensified, the deejay was admitted to hospital where doctors conducted a further test on his bone marrow.

The results showed he had an “aggressive type of blood cancer”, which required a two-month hospital stay for extensive treatment.

Once he was released, Dizzle JA resumed his music career with the defiant Fxxk Cancer.

The self-produced song details the Los Angeles-based artiste’s new lease on life.

“I left that hospital and checked into a cancer facility three days after to start treatment. In-between those three days, I started cooking and juicing some food to build back my body as I lost a lot of weight. I went to the studio and recorded the cancer song and went straight to the facility to start treatment,” said Dizzle JA, who is in his mid-30s.

As part of his rehabilitation, the lanky toaster underwent rigorous chemotherapy that left him nauseous and resulted in hair loss. Getting back in the recording studio was part of Dizzle JA’s personal recovery plan.

“The song just came as a motivation to my family and famz, aka my fans. I’m just letting them know I am a fighter and I’ll be fighting this cancer and they need to be strong with me,” he said.

In October, the entertainer, his management, family, and friends staged a Cancer Awareness Walk in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.

Born Bertony Reynolds, Dizzle JA is from St Thomas, where he started his recording career over 15 years ago. In recent years he has released a series of albums, including
My Time Now, Benzion, and Sex Tape.

Last year saw the release of his self-titled EP.

— Howard Campbell