Angie Stone, the renowned soul singer and songwriter, tragically died in a car crash in Montgomery, Alabama, at the age of 63. The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through the music community, where she was celebrated not only for her powerful voice but also for her contributions to the genre over several decades.
Born in 1961, Stone was a pivotal figure in the music industry. She began her career as a founding member of the female hip-hop trio, The Sequence, in the late 1970s. The group achieved early success with their hit "Funk You Up," a track that later garnered renewed fame when sampled by Dr. Dre for "Keep Their Heads Ringin'" and by Bruno Mars in "Uptown Funk."
Stone's musical journey continued to flourish when she transitioned to a solo career. In 1999, she released her debut solo album, "Black Diamond," which featured hits like "No More Rain (In This Cloud)" and "Life Story." This album set the stage for her subsequent works and showcased her talent as both a performer and songwriter.
In 2000, Stone recorded the theme song for the popular sitcom "Girlfriends," further solidifying her presence in contemporary music. Her second album, "Mahogany Soul," released in 2001, included the international hit "Wish I Didn’t Miss You," which became her biggest success worldwide.
Throughout her career, Stone was not only a singer but also an accomplished songwriter. She penned songs for artists such as Erykah Badu and Raphael Saadiq. Her third album, "Stone Love," featured the popular track "I Wanna Thank Ya," which included a collaboration with Snoop Dogg and achieved significant success in Europe.
Stone's contributions to music were recognized with three Grammy nominations during her illustrious career. In addition to her solo work, she served as a backing vocalist for Lenny Kravitz on his 1998 album "5," further showcasing her versatility and talent.
Despite her success, Stone once expressed a poignant sentiment about the songwriting profession: “There is a deep sad feeling that as a songwriter – something such a gift – you never get acknowledged for it.” This statement reflects her deep understanding of the music industry and its often-overlooked creatives.