Tribute to Singer Angie Stone After Her Tragic 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 car accident in Alabama while returning from a concert.

Angie Stone was a Grammy-nominated R&B singer and a member of the all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence, renowned for her hit song “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.” She rose to prominence in the early 2000s, during the time when neo soul began to influence R&B music.

In a recent Instagram post, Stone expressed her excitement about upcoming events and getting back into the spotlight. She wrote, “A lot of great things are happening that I can’t reveal just yet, but you can see the big smile on my face.”

Tributes to Stone poured in on social media, including a touching video from rapper MC Hammer featuring her song “Brotha.” He wrote, “I can’t tell you how many days this song blessed my soul. Rest in peace, Angie Stone.”

Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson shared her disbelief in a social media post, stating, “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!”

The Alabama Highway Patrol reported that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van Stone was traveling in overturned on Interstate 65 early Saturday morning and was subsequently struck by a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia truck. Stone was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident occurred about 5 miles south of Montgomery city limits. The van's driver and seven other passengers were taken to a hospital. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

Stone was the creative force behind popular tracks such as “No More Rain (In This Cloud),” which held the top spot on Billboard’s Adult R&B chart for ten weeks, “Baby,” featuring soul legend Betty Wright, another number one hit, 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.

NAACP Image Awards shared a heartfelt message on social media saying, “May your legacy live on, Angie Stone. A true pioneer, a moving storyteller, and a voice that helped shape the sound of R&B.”

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Angie Stone grew up in a religious environment. She played a significant role in forming The Sequence, the first all-female group to sign with the pioneering hip-hop label Sugar Hill Records, making them one of the first female groups to record a rap song. The group created the track “Funk You Up,” which has been covered by numerous artists, including Dr. Dre.

Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx expressed his sadness, saying that Stone would be “deeply missed.” He added, “I know they say God doesn’t make mistakes...but this hurts. Angie Stone was an incredible songwriter, an amazing artist, and an wonderful person. I never thought this would happen.”

Reverend Bernice King, daughter of the late Martin Luther King Jr. and CEO of the King Center, also remembered Stone. She posted, “This is so heartbreaking. Rest well, sister of the soul. #AngieStone.”

Stone's performance at the Mardi Gras Marshal’s Grand Ball Association in Mobile on Friday night was described as “nothing short of phenomenal” by the organization’s president, Isadore B. Sims. In a statement, he noted that they would treasure the memories of Stone’s talent and the warm spirit she brought to the event. “Her talent captivated everyone present, and her presence truly elevated the event. We never imagined it would be the last time we had the honor of witnessing her performance.”

At a college basketball game in Baltimore on Saturday, where Stone was scheduled to sing during halftime, chaplain and pastor Jerome Barber called for a moment of silence to honor her memory.

The Zeta Phi Beta sorority mourned the loss of their sister, stating, “Recognized for her contributions to R&B and neo soul, Stone’s music has resonated with fans for decades,” and remembered her efforts to raise diabetes awareness and her work with the Zeta Helping Other People Excel initiative.

Angie, Stone, music