R&B artist Ray J has disclosed that medical professionals have given him only months to live following a hospitalisation for severe pneumonia earlier this month.
The 45-year-old singer, whose real name is William Ray Norwood Jr, shared the devastating news during an Instagram livestream on January 27.
"2027 is definitely a wrap for me," he stated. "That's what they say."
The performer behind hits such as One Wish and Sexy Can I revealed that his heart is functioning at just a quarter of its normal capacity.
R&B singer Ray J and his sister Brandy
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"My heart's only beating like 25 percent," he explained in a separate video posted on January 25, adding that he "almost died" during his hospital stay.
Pointing to his chest, Ray J described the right side of his heart as "black" and "done".
The singer attributed his deteriorating condition to years of excessive substance use, expressing deep regret for the damage he inflicted upon himself.
"I f**ked up," Ray J admitted during the broadcast. "I think I thought I had more weight. I thought I was big so I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the Adderall, I could handle all the drugs—but I couldn't."
Ray J used to date Kim Kardashian
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He confessed that at the peak of his addiction, he was consuming "four or five bottles a day" of alcohol whilst simultaneously taking "10 Addies" at a time.
The reality television star, who appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood and For the Love of Ray J, believed himself to be invincible.
"I'm like, 'Ain't nothing happening to me? I'm indestructible,'" he recalled thinking. "Joke's on me."
Despite the grim prognosis, Ray J expressed acceptance about his fate whilst ensuring his loved ones would be looked after.
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Ray J is best known for his hit One Wish
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"It don't matter if my days are counted," he said. "But guess what—my baby mama gonna be straight. My kids gonna be straight."
The father of two children— Melody, seven, and Epik, five, whom he shares with estranged wife Princess Love—made clear his priorities.
"If they wanna spend all the money, they can spend it. I did my part here," he continued.
Ray J also shared his wishes for after his death, stating: "And damn, when it's all done, burn me, don't bury me."
"I shouldn't have went this hard, bro," he reflected during the emotional broadcast.
Throughout his health crisis, Ray J has received substantial support from his family, particularly his sister, Grammy-winning singer Brandy.
"Shoutout to Brandy for looking out for me," he said. "My sister paid my bills for me for the rest of the year. That's crazy."
His parents, Sonja and Willie Norwood, have also rallied around him during this difficult period.
"My momma and my daddy coming to pick me up tomorrow and they're gonna take me to the checkup," Ray J shared.
Looking ahead, the singer mentioned plans to visit Haiti within a fortnight to seek alternative treatment, claiming "they got the cure" and expressing interest in "voodoo" remedies.
Ray J was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital on January 7, suffering from pneumonia and chest pain. He had previously battled the same illness in 2021.