Losing Angie Stone felt like a gut punch.
As news of the singer’s fatal car accident was confirmed by her daughter and publicist on Saturday (Mar. 1), the industry collectively became heartbroken as we attempted to process the tragedy. Despite some attempts to slander Stone on social media, the soulful powerhouse‘s legacy left an indelible and undeniable mark on Hip-Hop and R&B.
She formed the trio, The Sequence, with two of her high school friends. Together, they became the first female rap group signed to Sugar Hill Records, and released their hit single, “Funk You Up.” After the group’s split in 1985, Stone released her solo debut album, Black Diamond, in 1999.
The 3x Grammy nominee left us with classic gems including “Brotha,” “No More Rain (In This Cloud),” and “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.” Her final album, Love Language, came out in 2023. Stone was honored two years prior as the Soul Music Icon at the 2021 Black Music Honors with a fitting tribute from Chrisette Michele, Syleena Johnson, Avery*Sunshine, and Bahamadia.
However, we would love to see a tribute to the soulstress on a grander scale—maybe at the next Soul Train or BET Awards— because she deserves. So, if we were to run this moment back, here’s who we’d tap to honor the late, incomparable Angie Stone.
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“Funk You Up” – Brownstone
Image Credit: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Slick Rick Music Corp. Stone and Nicci Gilbert were co-stars on R&B Divas: Atlanta. Despite their former reality TV drama, Gilbert expressed, “I love you Angie & I know you loved me,” following news of her passing. The women had long reconciled since the show’s conclusion.
So, it’d be fitting for Brownstone to lead the tribute with a performance of The Sequence’s biggest record, which peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.
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“Good Man” – Fantasia
Image Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for TIME “Good Man” is a standout from Stone’s last album, Love Language. It may not have been a commercial success, but it’s yet another example of how masterful Stone was at loving someone out loud. We know many of us, including Fantasia, can attest to that joy, and with her vocal prowess, she’d hit this rendition out of the park.
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“Brotha” – Jazmine Sullivan
Image Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET Jazmine Sullivan‘s soul-stirring, sultry tone is perfect for Stone’s “Brotha.” Truthfully, Sullivan can sing anything and we’d know we’re in for a treat. However, out of all the options, we can’t hear anyone else performing this live.
“Brotha” was produced and co-written by Raphael Saadiq off of her sophomore album, Mahogany Soul. It peaked No. 3 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.
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“Wish I Didn’t Miss You” – Jai’Len Josey
Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage Jai’Len Josey is one of the best vocalists of this generation. So, who better to perform Stone’s biggest single? The Southern belle would make the cover her own while also injecting an air of familiarity.
For those unaware of Josey’s talents, just listen to her 2023 EP, Southern Delicacy. We described it as “seductively sweet” as it guides us from “heartwarming and heart-wrenching” whilst remaining hearty and charmingly confident.
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“No More Rain (In This Cloud)” – Ledisi
Image Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images Ledisi is like warm sunshine peeking out from behind a cloud, meaning she fully embodies what Stone’s debut solo single is speaking on. Sung from the perspective of someone finding their light again after heartbreak, Ledisi is the right person to give us some hope again in Stone’s honor. She also needs to bring along a choir to really bring this performance home.
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“More Than A Woman” – Amber Riley, Calvin Richardson
Image Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT; Ben Horton/Getty Images for BET If there’s one thing Amber Riley knows, it’s how to pull off a memorable duet.
She can effortlessly collaborate with Calvin Richardson, the original crooner on Stone’s “More Than A Woman,” to pay homage. He’s still an active performer and for nostalgia’s sake, we need to see him perform this record once more.
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“The Ingredients Of Love”/”The Gym” – Musiq Soulchild And Meelah (Of 702)
Image Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Angie Stone anad Musiq Soulchild released two magical duets, 22 years apart.
Their first was 2001’s “The Ingredients Of Love” which preceded 2023’s “The Gym.” If he were to perform either of these records—though a medley is preferred— we feel it should be with Meelah of 702. Despite them being exes and co-parents, we feel this collaboration makes sense, especially considering Musiq would take more of a lead on “The Ingredients Of Love” whereas Meelah would lead on “The Gym.”
We don’t need to be sold on faux chemistry. The ingredients to witnessing history are already present.
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