Grammy-nominated rhythm and blues (R&B) singer Angie Stone, renowned for her soulful voice and contributions to the neo-soul movement, tragically died at the age of 63 following an automobile accident in Montgomery, Alabama.
The accident occurred in the early hours of March 1, on Interstate 65, approximately five miles south of Montgomery.
According to The Associated Press (AP), Stone and her band were traveling northbound in a 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, returning to Atlanta after a performance at a Mardi Gras event in Mobile. Around 4:25 a.m., the van overturned and was subsequently struck by a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia semi-trailer truck. Tragically, Stone was pronounced dead at the scene, while other occupants sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
Stone’s illustrious career began in the late 1970s with the pioneering female hip-hop group “The Sequence,” best known for their hit “Funk You Up.”
She later transitioned to a successful solo career, releasing acclaimed albums such as “Black Diamond” (1999) and “Mahogany Soul” (2001). Her signature song, “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” resonated with fans worldwide.
Throughout her career, Stone earned three Grammy nominations and collaborated with artists like D’Angelo, Alicia Keys and Snoop Dogg.
Stone was scheduled to perform at the halftime show of the CIAA basketball tournament in Baltimore on the day of the accident, highlighting her active engagement in events significant to the African American community.
Her untimely death has deeply affected the Montgomery community and the students of Alabama State University. Many students admired Stone not only for her musical talents but also for her resilience and advocacy for women’s empowerment in the music industry. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists within the community, reminding them of the profound impact one individual can have through dedication to their craft.
Stone is survived by her daughter, Diamond, and son, Michael, both of whom have expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from fans and have requested privacy during this difficult time.
Stone found a sweet spot in the early 2000s as neo-soul began to dominate the R&B landscape with the emergence of singers like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Maxwell and D’Angelo.
Her 2001 album “Mahagony Soul” reached No. 22 on the Billboard 200, while 2007’s “The Art Of Love & War” peaked at No. 11.
The church-grown singer was born in Columbia, South Carolina. She helped form The Sequence, the first all-female group on the hip-hop trailblazing imprint Sugar Hill Records, becoming one of the first female groups to record a rap song.
The group recorded “Funk You Up,” which has been sampled by numerous artists, including Dr. Dre.
After finding success in the early 1980s, Stone later joined the trio Vertical Hold before launching her solo career.

Stone came from a musical family
Music had been a part of her life since she was a child, with her mother singing around the house and her father singing gospel and blues at spots around town, Stone told The Associated Press in 1999 interview.
“I’m an only child, so my dad and my mom are my life, and when I was I kid I’d look up to my dad,″ she told the AP. ″He was very influential in what I wanted to do.”
Years later, after being hospitalized for congestive heart failure, she changed her life, dropped more than 40 pounds and started eating better, she told The Associated Press. At the time, she said she was just happy to be alive and making music.
“I feel complete. I have a new love, a new album, a new outlook and a new found joy. A few years ago, I was unhappy, depressed, not happy with the label’s efforts to market me. I had to still manage to uplift my audience,” she told The Associated Press in 2007. “Now I feel like I’m on my way to a happily ever after. I’ve been in the business since 1979. I’ve grudged and drudged. … Now I can finally say I feel I’ve arrived and mean it.”
A Soul Train Lady of Soul winner, Stone went on to showcase her acting chops with film roles in “The Hot Chick” starring Rob Schneider, “The Fighting Temptations” which starred Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé, and “Ride Along” led by Ice Cube and Kevin Hart.
She also hit the Broadway stage as Big Mama Morton in “Chicago,” and she showcased her vulnerability on the reality TV shows “Celebrity Fit Club” and “R&B Divas: Atlanta.”