American Singer Angie Stone Dies in Car Accident
It has just been announced that American singer, songwriter and actress Angie Stone has died in a car accident. Stone, born Angela Laverne Brown on December 18, 1961, in Columbia, South Carolina, leaves behind an impressive musical legacy spanning more than four decades.
Groundbreaking Career
Angie Stone began her musical journey in the late ’70s as a member of the hip-hop formation The Sequence, one of the first successful female rap groups with their hit “Funk You Up”. Her career evolved further when she became a member of the R&B trio Vertical Hold in the ’90s, where she contributed to their hit “Seems You’re Much Too Busy”.
Her breakthrough as a solo artist came with the 1999 album “Black Diamond”, which established her as one of the leading voices in the neo-soul movement. Singles like “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” showcased her distinctive warm, soulful voice and profound lyrics. Her follow-up albums “Mahogany Soul” (2001) and “Stone Love” (2004) strengthened her position in the music world and produced classics such as “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” and “I Wanna Thank Ya”.
In total, Stone released eight studio albums, with her most recent work “Full Circle” from 2019. Throughout her career, she was nominated for a Grammy Award three times and won multiple Soul Train Awards and other accolades.
Angie Stone’s influence on soul, R&B, and hip-hop is undeniable. Her collaborations with artists such as D’Angelo (with whom she also had a personal relationship and a daughter, Diamond), Snoop Dogg, Raphael Saadiq, and others demonstrated her versatility and broad respect within the industry.
Versatile Talent
Besides her musical contributions, Stone was also active as an actress, with roles in films such as “The Fighting Temptations” alongside Beyoncé and Cuba Gooding Jr., and television series including “Girlfriends” and “One on One”.
She was open about her personal health challenges, including type 2 diabetes, and used her platform to create awareness around health issues within the African American community.
Stone was known for her authenticity in an industry that often rewards conformity. She remained true to her musical roots and refused to compromise on her artistic vision, making her an inspiration for generations of artists. Prominent figures in the soul and R&B world, including Jill Scott, India.Arie, and Erykah Badu, have acknowledged her as a significant influence on their work.
Stone leaves behind two children: her daughter Diamond and her son Michael. Angie Stone was 63 years old.
