By Javar Juarez (CUBNSC) Columbia, S.C.
The music industry has lost an irreplaceable gem. Angie Stone, a pioneer in hip-hop, R&B, and soul, tragically passed away in a car accident, leaving a legacy that will echo through generations. Her influence stretched far beyond her chart-topping hits—she was a voice for artists, a champion of talent, and a beacon for those fighting against the exploitation of Black artistry. Columbia, South Carolina, the city that birthed her immense talent, now mourns one of its brightest stars.
Angie Stone: A Trailblazer in Hip-Hop History
Long before female rappers were widely recognized, Angie Stone and her group, The Sequence, had already broken barriers. Emerging in the late 1970s alongside Sugarhill Gang, they became the first female rap group to release a commercially successful single, Funk You Up (1979). Yet, despite their groundbreaking success, The Sequence often found themselves overshadowed in hip-hop’s historical narrative. Stone reflected on this during an event at the Richland County Library on June 21, 2024, where she shared how the group never fully received the recognition they deserved.
“The Sequence was the first hip-hop girl group to go gold,” she recalled. “But people thought Salt-N-Pepa came first—we were nearly 15 years ahead of them.”
Despite this, Stone’s impact remained undeniable. Her fusion of rapping and melodic singing paved the way for artists like Lauryn Hill, Drake, and Future. Many of today’s biggest hits, including Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk, carry echoes of Funk You Up, a track that has been sampled and interpolated repeatedly without due credit.
The Fight for Artistic Justice
In the final years of her life, Stone became an outspoken advocate for artist rights. Just months before her passing, she took to social media to decry the financial exploitation that she and many others endured in the music industry. She spoke candidly about how major record labels and their legal teams manipulated contracts, leaving Black artists without the financial rewards they rightfully earned.
The issue extends far beyond Stone—countless Black artists have been shortchanged, their creative contributions swallowed by corporate greed. Congressional efforts, such as the Restoring Artistic Protection Act (RAP Act) introduced by Representatives Jamaal Bowman and Hank Johnson, aimed to protect artists from having their work used against them in legal proceedings. However, broader protections for intellectual and financial rights remain a battle yet to be won. Stone’s passing should serve as a wake-up call: it is time to push harder for systemic change in the music industry.
Columbia’s Relationship with Its Own Talent
For all her global influence, Columbia, South Carolina, rarely gave Angie Stone her flowers. Though she proudly represented her hometown, the city failed to celebrate her contributions as prominently as it should have. She wasn’t booked as frequently in Columbia as one might expect for a native artist of her stature. The local music scene remains underfunded, politically fraught, and at times, unwelcoming to those who don’t fit within certain circles. As a result, even the most talented artists struggle to gain the recognition and support they deserve.
Following her passing, many in the community have expressed regret that more wasn’t done to uplift Stone while she was still with us. This tragedy underscores the need to better support Columbia’s artistic community—not just in words, but in tangible actions, investments, and opportunities.
A Personal Reflection
Writing this tribute has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The last time I saw Angie was at Small Talk with Angie Stone on June 21, 2024, at the Richland County Library, where she shared her story alongside Cheryl Cook and Gwen Chisolm. That moment now feels even more sacred.
My connection to her music runs deep. Growing up in Southern California, I was introduced to her early work by my uncle, Al “Show and Tell” Wilson. Her voice was a constant in my life, a soundtrack to moments both big and small. Now, as I grapple with her loss, I find solace in knowing that her legacy will continue through her music.
While The Sequence came before my time, Angie Stone’s music has always resonated with me. Much has been said about her early days with the group, but my personal favorite era was her time with Vertical Hold, where she performed alongside Willie Bruno and David Bright. Their 1993 hit Seems You’re Much Too Busy remains an all-time favorite. The song’s pure R&B essence sends a surge of nostalgia through me, taking me back to an era when the genre was at its finest. It is a track that will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Rest in Power, Angie
To her family, friends, and fans—let’s hold onto the love and joy she brought into our lives. Let’s celebrate her, not just in death, but in the way we fight for artists’ rights, support local talent, and amplify the voices of those who have been overlooked.
Columbia, South Carolina, lost a legend. The world lost a force. But Angie Stone’s music and impact will never fade.
Rest in peace, Angie. We love you, always.
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