In a heartbreaking turn of events, Angie Stone, the celebrated neo-soul singer and founding member of the pioneering hip-hop trio The Sequence, has passed away at the age of 63. Reports from All Hip Hop and TMZ indicate that Stone was involved in a severe car accident while returning from a performance in Alabama on February 28, 2025. Sources suggest that her sprinter van flipped over multiple times before being struck by an 18-wheeler truck.
Born Angela Laverne Brown on December 18, 1961, in Columbia, South Carolina, Stone's musical journey began in the late 1970s with The Sequence. Alongside Cheryl "The Pearl" Cook and Gwendolyn "Blondie" Chisolm, The Sequence became one of the first female rap groups, achieving early hip-hop hits like "Funk You Up." This groundbreaking group helped pave the way for women in the hip-hop and R&B industries.
Transitioning to R&B and neo-soul, Stone's solo career flourished with acclaimed albums such as Black Diamond (1999) and Mahogany Soul (2001), featuring hits like "No More Rain (In This Cloud)" and "Wish I Didn't Miss You." Her collaborations with artists like D'Angelo further cemented her status in the music industry, blending soulful vocals with hip-hop influences to create a unique sound that resonated with audiences worldwide.
Stone's contributions to music earned her three Grammy Award nominations and two Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. In 2021, she received the Soul Music Icon Award at the Black Music Honors, recognizing her lasting influence on the soul and R&B genres. Her voice, style, and artistic integrity will be remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike.
As fans and colleagues mourn her untimely passing, Angie Stone's legacy as a trailblazer in music and a beloved artist will continue to inspire future generations. Her contributions to the evolution of neo-soul and her impact on the music world will not be forgotten.
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