The Grammy-nominated R&B vocalist Angie Stone, aformer member of the all-female hip-hop trio The Sequence and the beloved artist behind the iconic hit "Wish I Didn't Miss You," tragically passed away in a car accident early Saturday morning, aged 63.
Around 4 a.m., the vehicle she was traveling in, en route back to Atlanta from Alabama, "rolled over and was subsequently struck by a large semi-truck," shared Walter Millsap III, the music producer and Stone's long-time manager, in an email to The Associated Press.
Everyone else in the cargo van survived the accident, except for Stone, Millsap noted with heavy heart.
According to a news release by the Alabama Highway Patrol, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van flipped over on Interstate 65 at around 4:25 a.m. on Saturday, before being hit by a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia truck driven by a 33-year-old man from Texas. Stone was pronounced dead at the scene, just five miles (eight kilometers) south of Montgomery city limits.
The driver of the Sprinter van and seven other passengers were transported to Baptist Medical Center for medical treatment. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
Millsap revealed that he received the devastating news from Stone's daughter, Diamond, and long-time Sequence member Blondy. "Never in a million years did we anticipate receiving this horrid news," Angie Stone's children, Diamond and Michael Archer, stated in a heartfelt message shared by the SRG Group. "We are still grappling with the loss and are utterly shattered."
Millsap added, "We are deeply devastated by this unforeseen and tragic event. Words fail to capture the depth of our sorrow and loss."
Stone was poised to captivate audiences during the halftime show of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's men's Championship basketball game on Saturday. However, the event was marked by a poignant moment of silence, called for by CIAA Chaplin Pastor Jerome Barber. CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker expressed the organization's profound sorrow, stating, "Her incredible talent, fervent passion, and magnetic presence served as a beacon of strength and hope for us all." Parker was referring to Stone, whose hits like "No More Rain (In This Cloud)" dominated Billboard’s Adult R&B airplay chart for ten weeks, topping the charts alongside collaborations like "Baby" with legendary soul artist Betty Wright, and other fan favorites such as "Wish I Didn’t Miss You" and "Brotha."
During the early 2000s, as neo-soul emerged as a dominant force in R&B with artists like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Maxwell, and D’Angelo, Stone carved her niche in the industry. Her 2001 album, "Mahogany Soul," soared to No. 22 on the Billboard 200, while her 2007 release, "The Art Of Love & War," peaked at No. 11.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Stone's musical journey began in the church. She played a pivotal role in forming The Sequence, the pioneering all-female group on Sugar Hill Records, breaking barriers as one of the first female groups to record a rap song, "Funk You Up," which has been sampled by icons like Dr. Dre.
After achieving success in the early 1980s, Stone ventured into the trio Vertical Hold before embarking on a successful solo career. Music had always been an integral part of her life, influenced by her mother's melodious voice echoing through the house and her father's gospel and blues performances around town. In a 1999 interview with the AP, Stone reminisced, "As an only child, my parents were my world. I looked up to my dad, who had a profound impact on my career aspirations."
Years later, following a battle with congestive heart failure that led to hospitalization, Stone transformed her life, shedding over 40 pounds and adopting a healthier diet. Speaking to the AP at the time, she expressed gratitude for her newfound lease on life and her music, saying, "I feel complete. I have a new love, a new album, a refreshed perspective, and a renewed sense of joy. In the past, I struggled with depression and dissatisfaction with how my label marketed me, yet I managed to uplift my audience. Today, I feel like I'm on a path to a happily ever after. After nearly three decades in the business, I can finally say with conviction that I've arrived."
A Soul Train Lady of Soul honoree, Stone's talents extended beyond music, featuring in films like "The Hot Chick" alongside Rob Schneider, "The Fighting Temptations" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé, and "Ride Along" starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart. She also graced the Broadway stage as Big Mama Morton in "Chicago" and showcased her vulnerability on reality TV shows "Celebrity Fit Club" and "R&B Divas: Atlanta," further solidifying her status as a versatile and multifaceted artist.
