The producer of Blackstar, David Bowie’s final album released on January 8, says the artist knew that his 25th studio album would be his last.

The news comes hours after David passed away at the age of 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer.

In a Facebook post early this morning, producer Tony Visconti confirmed that David was working on Blackstar while battling cancer, and that he knew “for a year” that this would be his final work:

“He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way,” Tony wrote. “His death was no different from his life – a work of Art. He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn’t, however, prepared for it. He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry.”

Eerily, the latest single off Blackstar is a song called “Lazarus,” which opens with the lyrics “Look up here, I’m in heaven.” The song’s title is a reference to Lazarus of Bethany, who Jesus brings back from the dead in the Bible’s Gospel of John. Watch the music video for “Lazarus” below, depicting a hospitalized David Bowie:

Blackstar was released on Friday, January 8 — which is also Bowie’s birthday. You can purchase the album here.