R&B and Neo Soul legend Angie Stone has passed away after a fatal car crash at the age of 63.

The Grammy-nominee, born Angela Laverne Brown, was a founding member of the all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence alongside group members Cheryl “the Pearl” Cook and Gwendolyn “Blondy” Chisolm. The group had undeniable success with hits such as “Funk You Up” - which was the foundation of Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” - before disbanding in 1985. 

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Stones' musical impact throughout the 1990s and early 2000s earned her pioneering status, the singer-songwriter collaborated with and co-wrote for major artists including Mary J. Blige, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, Prince, Snoop Dogg and most infamously fellow Neo-Soul giant D’angelo. This included a collaboration on D’Angelo’s 1995 Brown Sugar album, which is widely regarded as one of the foundational albums in the development of Neo-Soul. 

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In 1998, after one of Stone and D’Angelo’s many fruitful collaborations, Stone welcomed their son Michael D'Angelo Archer II after years of dating. At the time Stone was already the mother to Diamond Stone, the daughter she welcomed during her marriage to her former husband Rodney Stone, also known as Lil' Rodney C! from the hip-hop group Funky Four Plus One.

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Stone went on to release iconic songs as a soloist, including “No More Rain”, “Brotha” and “I Wish I Didn’t Miss You”. The three-time Grammy nominee’s successful career and influence spanned several decades and she released 10 studio albums, yet at the time of her tragic death, she showed no indication of slowing down. Her latest album ‘Loves Language’ was released in 2023, but in recent years she was notable for her significant 40 pound weight loss (after experiencing congestive heart failure) and her successful acting ventures, including appearances in films such as Scary Movie 5 and The Fighting Temptations alongside Beyoncé. 

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At approximately 4am on Saturday morning in Montgomery, Alabama, Stone and members of her band were headed to Atlanta after a performance the night before. Reports stated that an 18-wheeler struck the 2021 Mercedes-Benz sprinter van Stone was a passenger in, after which the vehicle “flipped over and was subsequently hit by a big rig”. Stone was the only fatality in the tragic accident whilst seven others in the van were taken to Baptist Medical Center for treatment, as confirmed by music producer and Stone’s longtime manager Walter Millsap III, who added:

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 “We are truly devastated by this unexpected and unfortunate tragedy and there are simply no words to express how we feel.”

Angie is survived by her son Michael, daughter Diamond and 2 grandkids. Her children released the following statement:

“Never in a million years did we ever expect to get this horrible news… Our mom is and will always be our everything. We are still trying to process and are completely heartbroken.”

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Let’s continue to keep her family and loved ones in our thoughts!

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