2025 has been a heartbreaking year for music. From soul legends to hip-hop innovators, we’ve lost voices that shaped generations and soundtracked our lives. These African American artists left behind legacies that refuse to fade. Here’s a look back at the African American singers who died in 2025, whose songs still echo long after the final note.
Angie Stone
Angie Stone, 63, the voice behind “No More Rain,” died in a car crash after a Montgomery show. Her daughter Diamond wrote, “My Mommy is gone.”
D’Wayne Wiggins
Born on Valentine’s Day, 1961, in Oakland, D’Wayne Wiggins helped create Tony! Toni! Toné!, dropping hits like “Little Walter” and “Feels Good,” redefining late-’80s soul.
Sam Moore
Born in Miami in 1935, Sam Moore found his groove in church before teaming with Dave Prater in the ’60s—creating Sam & Dave and pure soul history.
Brenton Wood
Born Alfred Jesse Smith in 1941, Brenton Wood turned California dreams into R&B hits with “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign,” channeling heartbreak through charm.
P.E.A.C.E.
Born Mtulazaji Davis, Self Jupiter split his youth between Texas and L.A., mastering rhymes at the Good Life Cafe in the ’80s before redefining West Coast hip-hop.
D’Angelo
D’Angelo, 51, the “Brown Sugar” hitmaker who redefined neo-soul, has died from pancreatic cancer. His last album, Black Messiah, still echoes like unfinished business.
Roberta Flack
Born in North Carolina, Roberta Flack hit Howard University at 15, mastered piano by nine, and stole hearts when Clint Eastwood used her song in Play Misty for Me.
Vanessa Brown Knowles
Vanessa Brown Knowles, 63, co-founded The Brown Singers and filled churches with joy. Her daughter Lisa Knowles Smith said goodbye, praising her mother’s faith and fire.
Gwen McCrae
Gwen McCrae, the powerhouse voice behind the 1975 classic “Rockin’ Chair,” has passed away at 81. Her soulful grooves defined an era and still move dance floors decades later.
Jerry “Iceman” Butler
Jerry Butler first rose to prominence as the lead singer of The Impressions, the trailblazing R&B group that also featured Curtis Mayfield. In 1958, they released “For Your Precious Love,” a song Butler co-wrote that became both their breakout hit and an enduring soul classic.
T-Hood
Rapper T-Hood’s death has left Atlanta’s Hip-Hop community in mourning, as artists and fans flood social media with tributes. Known for his gritty Atlanta sound, T-Hood had been steadily carving his path in rap and R&B, building momentum that promised much more to come.
Robbie Pardlo
Robbie Pardlo, former member of the R&B and hip-hop trio City High, has died at 46. Known for his raw, soulful voice and emotional performances, Pardlo helped define the early-2000s sound with hits like “What Would You Do?”—a track that still resonates with fans.
Mama Mosie Burks
Mama Mosie Burks, 92, the soul of the Mississippi Mass Choir, has passed. Her voice on “I’m Not Tired Yet” still shakes walls and hearts alike.
Young Noble
Young Noble, 47, handpicked by Tupac for The Outlawz, has died by suicide. From “Hail Mary” to Noble Justice, his legacy still speaks louder than words.
Eddie “Supa” Lewis
Eddie “Supa” Lewis of Aly-Us has died, but “Follow Me” still unites dance floors everywhere—a 1992 anthem that turned house music into a heartbeat of hope.
Walter Scott
Walter Scott, 81, co-founder of The Whispers, has died. With twin brother Scotty, he helped craft silky R&B hits that still soundtrack slow dances everywhere.
Cavin Yarbrough
Cavin Yarbrough, 72, of Yarbrough & Peoples, has died. With wife Alisa, he gave us “Don’t Stop the Music,” proving love and funk make the perfect duet.
Sly Stone
Sly Stone, 82, the genius behind Sly and the Family Stone, has died. He didn’t follow genres—he made them, turning funk into a revolution.
Wayne Lewis
Wayne Lewis, 68, the unmistakable voice of Atlantic Starr, has died. From “Always” to “Secret Lovers,” his songs still soundtrack slow dances and forever promises.
Norman Hutchins
Michael A. Hutchins, who rose to fame with 1999’s Nobody But You, has died. The Grammy-nominated singer’s voice still lifts spirits and fuels faith everywhere.
Rapper LGP Qua
LGP Qua, 29, turned struggle into strength. Discovered by Meek Mill and praised by Jay-Z, he proved hip-hop could heal hearts as much as it could move them.
John Edwards
John Edwards, 80, former Spinners frontman, has died. From “Working My Way Back to You” to “Cupid,” his voice kept the group’s soulful spark alive for decades.
Eddie Fluellen
Eddie Fluellen of Switch has died. The Motown keyboardist behind hits like “There’ll Never Be” left grooves so smooth they still make the ’70s feel alive.
Young Scooter
Atlanta rapper Young Scooter, 39, died on his birthday during a police encounter. Known for “Colombia,” he turned Atlanta’s street hustle into rap’s rawest ambition.
Lotto Savage
Lotto Savage of 21 Savage’s Slaughter Gang has died. DJ Kutthroat confirmed the news, remembering the Atlanta rapper behind “Trapped It Out” and “Dirty K.”
DJ Funk
DJ Funk, 54, the Chicago legend behind “Work Dat Body,” has died. His pounding ghetto house beats still shake speakers and shaped Midwest dance floors forever.
Harry Elston
Harry Elston, 86, founder of The Friends of Distinction, has died. With “Grazing in the Grass,” he made soul sound sunny and timeless—and it still feels that way.
Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers, 84, the “Godfather of Neo-Soul,” has died. From “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” to hip-hop samples, his grooves still ripple through generations.
Chelsea Reject
Chelsea Reject, the Brooklyn rapper behind Cmplx, has died. Her fearless mix of honesty and rhythm made underground hip-hop feel personal, raw, and beautifully human again.
Gene “Groove” Allen
Gene “Groove” Allen has died. From House Party to Groove B. Chill’s Starting From Zero, he turned early ’90s hip-hop into pure style and unforgettable fun.
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