Rest Well, Soul Sister: Stars React to Angie Stone’s Sudden Death

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone died at age 63 in a car crash early Saturday morning. “Unfortunately, at around 4 a.m. while heading back to Atlanta from Alabama, the Sprinter flipped over and was subsequently hit by a big rig,” music producer Walter Millsap III told The Associated Press in an email.

News of her tragic death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow artists, industry leaders, and fans on social media.

Stone’s Impact on Music

The singer’s sudden passing represents the loss of a pioneering voice in R&B and hip-hop. As a founding member of The Sequence, one of the first female rap groups in history, and later as a central figure in the neo-soul movement, Stone helped shape multiple generations of Black music.

What To Know

Stone’s career spanned over four decades, beginning with The Sequence on Sugar Hill Records in the early 1980s. She later joined the R&B trio Vertical Hold before launching a successful solo career that included hit singles “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.” Her 2001 album “Mahogany Soul” reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200, while 2007’s “The Art of Love & War” peaked at No. 11.

Beyond music, Stone expanded her career into acting, appearing in films like The Fighting Temptations with Beyoncé and Ride Along with Ice Cube. She also performed on Broadway in Chicago and appeared on reality television shows including Celebrity Fit Club and R&B Divas: Atlanta. A Soul Train Lady of Soul winner, Stone was respected both for her artistic contributions and her authenticity.

What People Are Saying

Community leader Bernice King shared a message on X: “So heartbreaking. Rest well, soul sister. #AngieStone”

Rapper Tyler The Creator wrote on X: “safe travels angie stone”

Former South Carolina representative and CNN analyst Bakari Sellers wrote on X: “My heart breaks for Angie Stone and her family. May she rest in power. She meant so much to this community and is a true icon.”

Comedian and host Loni Love penned a heartfelt post on X: “In 2021 I had the honor of hosting #blackmusichonors, celebrating the incredible Angie Stone, my Sis. She was an amazing talent and an even cooler person. I’m grateful for that night. I’ll cherish our conversations, Angie. Rest in peace. Condolences to her family.”

The NAACP Image Awards wrote in a statement on X: “Rest in Power, Angie Stone. A true pioneer, a soulful storyteller, and a voice that helped shape the sound of R&B.”

Music industry pioneer DJ Short also shared a message on X: “RIP Angie Stone. founding member of early Sugarhill Records Hip-Hop group The Sequence, later a pioneer in the Neo-Soul movement in the late 90’s & early 00’s. An essential part of Hip-Hop and R&B history.”

What Happens Next

In the coming days, more tributes are expected from artists influenced by Stone’s work, particularly from the R&B community where she was a revered figure.

Family members have not yet announced funeral arrangements, though industry insiders anticipate a significant memorial service reflecting her stature in the music world.