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Grammy-nominated soul singer and actress Angie Stone has tragically passed away at the age of 63 following a car accident in Montgomery, Alabama.
The accident occurred on Saturday while Stone and her band were travelling to Atlanta after performing in Mobile, Alabama.
According to TMZ, their van was involved in a fatal collision.
Angie Stone, born Angela Laverne Brown, gained prominence in the late 1970s as part of The Sequence, one of the first female hip-hop groups.
Known for their hit Funk You Up, the group made history with their groundbreaking style. The track was later sampled in Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk and Dr Dre’s Keep Their Heads Ringin’.
As reported by Rolling Stone, Stone later transitioned to R&B, joining the trio Vertical Hold in the 1990s and achieving fame with the single Seems You’re Much Too Busy.
Stone’s solo career skyrocketed with her debut album Black Diamond in 1999, which earned critical acclaim and commercial success.
The album, featuring hits like No More Rain (In This Cloud), cemented her place in the neo-soul genre, according to Billboard.
Her follow-up albums, including Mahogany Soul (2001), which featured the iconic single Wish I Didn’t Miss You, further established her as a soul music legend.
Beyond her music, Stone also made her mark in acting, appearing in films such as The Hot Chick and The Fighting Temptations.
Variety highlights her contribution to Broadway, where she starred as Big Mama Morton in Chicago.
Stone’s personal life was often in the spotlight.
As detailed by People, she had two children: a daughter, Diamond, from her marriage to Rodney Stone, and a son, Michael, with neo-soul artist D’Angelo. She also had two grandchildren.
The news of her death has shaken the music industry.
Tributes have poured in from fans and artists worldwide, with many praising her influence and dedication to her craft.
Her daughter, Diamond Stone, confirmed her passing in a heartfelt social media post, stating, “My mummy is gone,” as reported by Page Six.
Angie Stone was actively working on new projects and had announced a UK tour, which was set to begin later this year.
In her final Instagram post, she shared her excitement about upcoming shows, according to The Sun.
Stone’s enduring legacy as a pioneering force in music will not be forgotten.
As noted by The Guardian, her soulful voice and trailblazing contributions to the neo-soul movement have left an indelible mark on the industry.
