Trinity Hadassah Yates 
Angie Stone, a trailblazer in the realm of soul and R&B, where she significantly influenced the neo soul movement of the 1990’s and 2000’s, has unfortunately passed away at the age of 63. She tragically passed early Saturday morning, March 1, during a car accident on the interstate in Alabama.
Stone’s career began in the 1970’s as a member of The Sequence, an all-female rap group that rose to notoriety with their popular track “Funk You Up”. Which showcased her early talent. She was also a member of another three-member group called Vertical Hold which produced hits like Seems your Much too Busy. She later became a solo R&B artist creating emotional songs that really resonated with her audience. Her hits include “No More Rain (In this Cloud)” and “I Wish I didn’t Miss You” These songs really showcased her vocal delivery and deep emotional expression.
Throughout the Neo-soul era, Stone’s warm, raspy voice and heartfelt song writing really helped her stand out from her peers in the music industry. She collaborated with notable artists such as D’Angelo and Mary J. Blige, contributing to the music that celebrated the essence of soul while introducing her own innovative elements. Her albums, Black Diamond and Mahogany Soul and Stone Love really solidified her reputation as an extraordinary artist that’s capable of producing mainstream hits while also creating authentic music.
The music industry has lost a remarkable talent whose soulful sound has connected generations of music lovers. Although Stone is no longer with us, her influence on R&B, Soul, and Hip-Hop will continue to resonate for years to come.
By Trinity Hadassah, Junior, Northwest High School
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