UPDATED: Tributes pour in to soul innovator Angie Stone

Legendary soul singer Angie Stone tragically died last night in a tour bus crash, following a gig in Montgomery, Alabama. She was just 63. Eight other members of her entourage were injured but none life-threateningly.

Born in 1961 in South Carolina, Angie came to prominence in the late 1970s as a member of Sequence, who were widely regarded as one of the first hip hop groups and remain hugely influential.

Signed to Sugarhill Records, their 'Funk You Up' hit was the main sample on Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk' and also found its way onto Dr Dre's 'Keep Their Heads Ringin''.

“I think that being the first female rap group to actually come out and have an authentic original rap record is an accomplishment that no one else has been able to top,” the singer reflected in 2023.

Angie Stone spent the early part of the 1990s recording and touring as a member of R&B trio Vertical Hold, before in 1999 releasing her debut solo album, Black Diamond, which went gold and yielded the massive hit single, 'No More Rain (In This Cloud)'.

In 2007, she topped the American Billboard R&B/Hip Hop chart with The Art Of Love & War, an album which many consider to be her masterpiece.

Stone also enjoyed a parallel career as a stage and film actor, and over the course of her career was three times Grammy-nominated.

Her career wasn't without its controversies - aspects of her relationship with D'Angelo with whom she shares a child, Michael, being just one - but her influence on the likes of Beyonce and Lauryn Hill is undeniable.

In a recent post, she'd told fans that she was looking forward to touring the UK and other parts of Europe this year.

These are some of the tributes that are being paid to Angie:

I can’t believe this! What a loss !!! Angie Stone was a true pioneer. Another one of our great soul singers gone too soon. Prayers up for her family and loved ones! pic.twitter.com/vhVQLehnhv

— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) March 2, 2025

Losing Angie Stone is such a loss for R&B. She covered “Holding Back The Years” for the Love and Basketball soundtrack so well, I thought the song was hers. Praying for her family 🙏🏾https://t.co/n4839hGqCu

— Queer Latifah 🥂 (@TheAfrocentricI) March 1, 2025

I’m really saddened to return after work to hear that Angie Stone has passed. She played an important role in hip-hop history in the early days with Sequence before being one of the pivotal figures in 90s soul music. Her later years included some great soul albums too pic.twitter.com/cd9iV6HY9v

— Stevie G (@StevieGrainger) March 1, 2025

🙏🏿Singer Angie Stone Dies in Car Accident at 63 – BlackPressUSA https://t.co/b1zpJYl6om

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 1, 2025

R.I.P. ANGIE STONE...
Your historic career is Amazing.
Thank you for the contributions to our planet.
May you and GURU party in Paradise.
R.I.P. GURU 🙏🏾 🖤 🕊️
Condolences to your families.@theangiestone @herbiehancock
Produced By @DJScratch pic.twitter.com/eBP7AQps7d

— Gang Starr ‘One of the Best Yet’ Out Now (@gangstarr) March 2, 2025

Thank you Angie Stone R.I.P. 🤎🙏🏽
anthem of appreciation. pic.twitter.com/5Hc9wRUUSt

— MC HAMMER e/acc (@MCHammer) March 2, 2025

We are sad to hear about the passing of Angie Stone. Ms. Stone released 2 albums on Stax, The Art of Love and War (2007) and Unexpected (2009). Angie was an incredible artist, performer, and songwriter. Our sincere condolences go out to her family and friends.

📸: Marc Baptiste pic.twitter.com/Y24WE46ucE

— Stax Records (@StaxRecords) March 2, 2025