Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
Angie Stone, the acclaimed neo-soul singer and songwriter, tragically passed away at the age of 63 following a car accident early March 1. The incident occurred as she was leaving a performance in Montgomery, Ala.
Credit: AP Photo
Born Angela Laverne Brown on Dec. 18, 1961, in Columbia, S.C., Stone’s illustrious career began in the late 1970s as a member of The Sequence, one of the first female rap groups, known for their hit “Funk You Up.” She later became the lead vocalist for the R&B trio Vertical Hold, which gained attention with the single “Seems You’re Much Too Busy.” Embarking on a solo career in 1999, Stone released her debut album, “Black Diamond,” featuring the hit “No More Rain (In This Cloud).” Her subsequent albums, including “Mahogany Soul “(2001) and “Stone Love” (2004), solidified her status in the neo-soul movement, with tracks like “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” and “Brotha” resonating deeply with audiences.
“Losing Angie Stone isn’t just losing a voice in R&B—it’s losing one of the last true bastions of SOUL,” April Watts, entertainment maven and radio personality, told the AFRO. “Angie was real, and you could hear it in every note she sang. Her music wasn’t just something you listened to—it was something you felt. She soundtracked our love lives, our heartbreaks, and our healing.”
Reminiscing on her time in radio where she had the honor of playing Stone’s music, Watts added, “As a radio personality, I’ll never forget how her song ‘Brotha’ became an anthem. It uplifted the spirits of Black men in a way that was so needed. It wasn’t just a hit—it was a celebration of them. And trust me, the requests for that song never stopped.”
In the 1990s, Stone was in a relationship with fellow neo-soul artist D’Angelo. Their partnership was both personal and professional; Stone contributed to D’Angelo’s acclaimed debut album,
“Brown Sugar” (1995), co-writing several tracks. The couple had a son, Michael D’Angelo Archer II, born in 1998.
Stone’s sudden passing has left a profound void in the music industry. Her rich vocals and heartfelt lyrics influenced a generation of artists and garnered a devoted global fan base. On social media, fans worldwide are expressing their sorrow and shared memories of how her music touched their lives. Her legacy as a pioneer of neo-soul and a trailblazer for female artists in hip-hop and R&B will be remembered and cherished.
Diamond Stone, Angie’s daughter, shared her sorrow on Facebook: “My mommy is gone.”
As the news continues to spread, more tributes and reflections from the music community are anticipated, underscoring the profound impact Angie Stone had on artists and fans alike.
“I’m speechless and in shock!” shared regional artist, Davon “The Drummer” McCoy. McCoy has played with such artists as Lala Hathaway, Sybil, Monifah, Jill Scott, Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Nelson and Ultra Nate.
“We lost one of the best soulful voices ever, we’ve got to make each day count like it’s our last,” he said. “She was a giant voice that greatly impacted neo-soul.”
Stone is survived by her daughter, Diamond; her son, Michael; and two grandchildren.
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