The music world mourns the loss of Angie Stone, a celebrated R&B and soul artist who left an indelible mark on the genre. Stone, aged 63, tragically passed away in a vehicle accident while en route from Alabama. Her passing has sent shockwaves through the music community, as she was not only a pioneer but also a beloved figure who collaborated with numerous renowned artists. With her rich history dating back to the 1980s, Stone's career spanned several decades, during which she achieved significant milestones both as a solo artist and as part of various groups.

Stone's musical journey began in South Carolina with the trailblazing trio, The Sequence. This all-female group broke new ground by being one of the first southern rap acts to release vinyl records. Her voice, then known as Angie B., was featured prominently on their influential single "Monster Jam." Following this, she joined Vertical Hold before embarking on a successful solo career. In 1999, Stone released her debut album Black Diamond, which debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Her subsequent albums continued to receive acclaim, including Mahogany Sun, which reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200.

Beyond her impressive discography, Stone's collaborations were equally noteworthy. She worked closely with D'Angelo, contributing to his albums Brown Sugar and Voodoo. Additionally, she toured as a backing vocalist for him. Her talent extended beyond music; Stone ventured into acting, starring in the comedy film The Hot Chick and portraying Big Mama Morton in the Broadway production of Chicago.

In recent years, Stone remained active in the music scene, earning nominations for three Grammy Awards and achieving a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart last year. Her versatility allowed her to collaborate with an array of legendary artists such as Prince, Macy Gray, Lenny Kravitz, Josh Groban, Ray Charles, Kool & the Gang, Guru, and Dionne Warwick. Despite her untimely death, Angie Stone's legacy will undoubtedly endure, inspiring future generations of musicians.