Tribute to Singer Angie Stone Following Her Death in a Car Accident

MONTGOMERY, Alabama, USA — Fans have come together to remember the voice and songs of the trailblazer Angie Stone, who passed away at the age of 63 in a tragic car accident in Alabama while returning from a concert.

The Grammy-nominated R&B artist was part of the female hip-hop group The Sequence, known for their hit "Wish I Didn't Miss You." Stone gained prominence in the early 2000s when neo-soul began to take center stage in the R&B genre.

In a recent Instagram post, Stone shared her excitement with her fans about upcoming events and expressed her joy in being active again. "So many things are happening that I don’t want to reveal just yet," she mentioned. "But you can see I have a big smile on my face."

Tributes to Stone have flooded social media, including a heartfelt one from rapper MC Hammer, who shared a video featuring Stone’s song "Brotha," stating: "I can’t tell you how many days this song blessed my soul. Rest in peace, Angie Stone."

Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson expressed her shock on social media, writing, "What a loss! Angie Stone was a true pioneer. Another one of our great soul singers has left us too soon. Prayers for her family and loved ones!"

According to the Alabama Highway Patrol, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van carrying Stone overturned on Interstate 65 early Saturday morning, subsequently being struck by a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia truck. Stone was pronounced dead at the scene, as reported by the authorities.

The collision occurred about 8 kilometers (5 miles) south of Montgomery city limits. The driver of the van and the other seven passengers were taken to a hospital, and investigations into the accident are ongoing.

Stone was known for creating hits like "No More Rain (In This Cloud)," which topped the Adult R&B radio charts for ten weeks; "Baby" featuring soul legend Betty Wright, and other beloved tracks "Wish I Didn’t Miss You" and "Brotha." Her 2001 album, "Mahagony Soul," peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200, while her 2007 release, "The Art Of Love & War," reached No. 11.

The NAACP Image Awards paid tribute to her legacy, stating, "May your legacy live on, Angie Stone. A true pioneer, a heartfelt storyteller, and a voice that helped shape the sound of R&B."

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Stone was raised in a religious environment. She contributed to forming The Sequence, which became the first all-female group on the pioneering hip-hop label Sugar Hill Records, making them one of the first female groups to record a rap song. They produced the track "Funk You Up," which has been covered by numerous artists, including Dr. Dre.

Jamie Foxx expressed his deep sorrow over Stone's passing, stating she will be "sorely missed." He added, "I know they say God makes no mistakes... but this hurts. Angie Stone was an incredible songwriter, an amazing artist, and a wonderful person... I never thought in a million years this would happen."

Reverend Bernice King, daughter of the late Martin Luther King Jr. and CEO of the King Center, also remembered Stone, saying in a social media post, "This is so heartbreaking. Rest well, sister of the soul. #AngieStone."

Stone’s performance at the Grand Marshal Ball of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association on Friday night was described as "nothing short of phenomenal" by the organization’s president, Isadore B. Sims. In a statement, Sims noted they will cherish the memories of Stone's talent and warm spirit. "Her talent captivated everyone present, and her presence truly elevated the event. We never would have imagined this would be the last time we had the honor of witnessing her performance."

During the Saturday basketball game for the men’s championship at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in Baltimore, where Stone was scheduled to perform at halftime, chaplain and pastor Jerome Barber requested a moment of silence in her honor.

The Zeta Phi Beta sorority expressed their grief over the loss of their sister. "Recognized for her contributions to the genres of R&B and neo soul, Stone’s music has resonated with fans for decades," the sorority stated in a release, highlighting her efforts to raise awareness about diabetes and her work with the Elder Care and Zetas Helping Other People Excel initiatives, both affiliated with the sorority.

Angie, Stone, Accident