Angie Stone, the globally renowned and beloved soul and R&B icon, has sadly passed away, leaving family and fans in deep grief.
The singer, who is widely celebrated for her timeless hit “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”, tragically passed away at the age of 63 on Saturday, 1st March 2025.
A representative of the late singer, who spoke on the matter, confirmed to Variety that Stone lost her life in a car accident in Montgomery, Alabama, while returning home from a performance. She was the sole victim of the crash.
Her daughter, Diamond Stone, who was apparently devastated, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, writing: “My mommy is gone.”
Angie Stone Was a Trailblazer in Music History
Born on December 18, 1961, Angie Stone began her musical journey quite early on in life. In fact, her musical journey began at just 16 years of age, when she co-founded the pioneering female hip-hop trio called The Sequence in the late 1970s.
The group it the ground running and made history with their hit “Funk You Up”, a track that would go on to greatly influence generations of artists. It was even famously sampled by Dr. Dre in “Keep Their Heads Ringin'” and by Bruno Mars in “Uptown Funk”.
In 2003, while reflecting on her trailblazing legacy, Stone stated:
“Being the first female rap group with an original record is an achievement that no one can take away.”
The group also enjoyed a wide of success and had hundreds of thousands of fans across the United States. Many of their songs were so big that they kept the group touring for a long time.
The R&B Legend Enjoyed a Celebrated Solo Career
After The Sequence disbanded, Angie Stone decided to go solo but also lent her vocal talents to groups like Vertical Hold and Devox. She also contributed songwriting and vocal work to artists such as D’Angelo, supporting him both in the studio and on tour. In 1998, she provided vocals for Lenny Kravitz’s album 5.
Stone’s solo breakthrough came in 1999 with her debut album Black Diamond, featuring hits like “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and “Life Story”. She followed this with Mahogany Soul in 2001, which included her global hit “Wish I Didn’t Miss You”.
Her third album, Stone Love, delivered the fan-favorite “I Wanna Thank Ya” featuring Snoop Dogg, with a music video showcasing a young Idris Elba. Stone continued to release seven more albums, culminating in her 2023 project Love Language, which featured collaborations with Musiq Soulchild and her son Swayvo Twain.
Angie Stone Was a Multifaceted Talent
Angie Stone did not just stop at singing and making music. This is because, in addition to her music career, the singer also showcased her versatility as an actress.
Stone shone bright in Hollywood with roles in films like The Hot Chick and The Fighting Temptations, as well as a stage performance as Big Mama Morton in Chicago. During this time, she bagged a lot of fans who loved her even more for her acting than her singing.
Despite her success, she often expressed the challenges of recognition as a songwriter.
In a 2011 interview, she noted:
“I make far more as a songwriter than as a singer, but people rarely see that side of my work.”
Why Her Legacy Will Last For Generations
Without a doubt, Angie Stone will never be forgotten. Her impact has been so huge that it will last for generations to come. Over her illustrious career, Stone earned three Grammy nominations and penned songs for industry greats like Erykah Badu and Raphael Saadiq.
She also inspired so many people who went on do great in the industry, including an all-time great, Beyonce. Her distinctive voice, heartfelt lyrics, and groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop and soul music have an indelible mark on the industry, and this has been appreciated by all fans of music.
Stone’s artistry, resilience, and passion for music will continue to inspire generations to come.
