Mary J. Blige is opening up concerning the heartbreaking lack of two of neo-soul’s most revered voices, D’Angelo and Angie Stone, saying she’s nonetheless struggling to course of their passing.
In an emotional reflection with PEOPLE Magazinethe Queen of Hip-Hop Soul shared how deeply the information has affected her, calling each artists “beautiful people” and remembering the uncommon inventive bond they shared.
“I worked with him and Angie. I knew Angie very well and I knew D’Angelo very well, and I’m just still shocked and surprised,” Blige mentioned. “I just can’t believe that both of them are gone.”
The Grammy-winning singer described each D’Angelo and Stone as gifted but guarded artists who valued authenticity and intimacy over fame: “They were the most beautiful people and just really nice people to work with and to know. D’Angelo was a beautiful, beautiful person.”
Blige, who collaborated with D’Angelo on the 1999 hit “Your Precious Love“ and remained shut with Stone all through her profession, mirrored on how selective the pair had been with their internal circle.
“If they let you in, that means you were special because they didn’t mess with a lot of people,” she mentioned. “They were very quiet, both of them, and very selective on who they let into their world as far as working with them. I was grateful to have that opportunity to be around them like that.”
Angie Stone died on March 1, 2025, in a tragic automotive crash close to Montgomery, Alabama, on the age of 63. D’Angelo handed away on October 14, 2025, at age 51 after a non-public battle with pancreatic most cancers.