Industry Passings honoring radio, music, and media professionals whose contributions shaped the business, documenting their careers, leadership, and lasting impact on the industry.
Howie Klein, Influential Music Executive, Passes Away at 77
Influential music executive Howie Klein, former president of Sire and Reprise Records, passed away at 77 after battling pancreatic cancer. Klein shaped careers of Madonna,...
Russell Batiste Jr.: Funk and R&B Icon
Russell Batiste Jr., legendary drummer for the Funky Meters, passed away in 2023. His innovative funk and R&B style helped shape New Orleans music....
Remembering Maye James: Connected, Protected, Respected
Remembering Maye James, the unsung hero behind Black radio's golden era who worked at Scepter Records and alongside Frankie Crocker at WBLS, keeping the industry...
Bushwick Bill, Influential Hip-Hop Artist, Passes Away at 56
Bushwick Bill, influential Geto Boys rapper known for classic hit 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me,' passed away at 56. The hip-hop pioneer shaped Southern rap....
Industry Vet has Died
Music industry veteran Kevin E Ross has passed away after battling health challenges. The entertainment professional was known for his work in the music business....
Rapper Poorstacy Dies at 26, Leaving Behind a Lasting Legacy
Rapper Poorstacy, known for blending emo rap with punk and metal, died at 26 in Florida following a medical emergency. The rising artist collaborated with...
D’Angelo’s Death: Structure Over SymbolÂ
D'Angelo's death in 2025 marked the end of an era for neo-soul. The artist behind 'Voodoo' struggled with fame after his 'Untitled' video made him...
Angie Stone Death Lawsuit Against Trucking Company
Grammy-nominated R&B icon Angie Stone was tragically killed in a highway accident, prompting her family to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the trucking company...
Voletta Wallace, Notorious B.I.G.’s Mother, Dies at 78
Voletta Wallace, mother of hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G., has died at age 78. The Jamaican immigrant turned her son's tragic death into a mission to...
Jerry Butler, Soul Singer, Dies at 85
Jerry Butler, influential soul singer and founding member of The Impressions, has died at 85 from Parkinson's disease. Known as 'The Iceman,' Butler was inducted...
Alfa Anderson, Iconic Chic Vocalist, Dies at 78
Alfa Anderson, iconic Chic vocalist known for hits like 'Le Freak' and 'Good Times,' has died at 78. Her voice defined the disco era sound....
Farewell to Quincy Jones: A Legacy Beyond Music (videos)
Quincy Jones, legendary music producer and composer, passed away at age 91 at his Bel-Air home. Known for producing Michael Jackson's albums and We Are...
Wanda Smith from V-103’s “Frank and Wanda” Show has Died
Comedian Wanda Smith from Atlanta's V-103 Frank and Wanda Morning Show has died after struggling with health issues. She hosted the popular radio show for...
Kevin Chisholm, Esteemed Music Industry Figure, Passes Away
Kevin Chisholm, former tour manager for Carlos Santana and production manager for Bill Graham Presents, passed away August 10th after decades in music industry....
New Surveillance Footage Emerges in Julio Foolio Murder Case
Introduction In a significant development in the murder case of Charles Jones, popularly known as the rapper Julio Foolio, new surveillance footage was......
Albuquerque radio personality Juan Velasco passes away at 60
Beloved Albuquerque radio personality Juan Velasco passed away at 60 after 42 years in broadcasting. The KRST 92.3 afternoon host served the community for three...
Angela Bofill Memorial at Lincoln Center, Aug 2024
A memorial service for R&B legend Angela Bofill will be held at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall in August 2024. The tribute honors the beloved vocalist...
Rico Wade’s Celebratory Funeral Service (pics)
Rico Wade's funeral service drew music industry legends including OutKast, Goodie Mob, and top executives, celebrating the Organized Noize founder's impact on Atlanta hip-hop....
Private Funeral Arrangements for Rico Wade
Rico Wade, legendary Organized Noize producer and Dungeon Family leader, will be eulogized privately on April 26, 2024, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta....
Pop Smoke’s Deadly Day on Instagram (video)
Pop Smoke was tragically murdered in a 2020 Beverly Hills home invasion after his Instagram posts revealed his location and wealth, making him a target...
Rico Wade, Influential Music Architect, Passes Away at 50
Rico Wade, co-founder of Organized Noize and architect of the Dungeon Family collective, has died at age 50. The influential producer helped launch OutKast and...
Decoding Tupacs Behavior Before His Death: An Examination
Tupac Shakur exhibited unusual behavior in his final days, giving away jewelry and showing heightened paranoia. These actions have fueled speculation about whether the rapper...
Legendary Hip-Hop DJ Mister Cee Has Died
Legendary Hip-Hop DJ Mister Cee (Calvin LeBrun) has died. He worked at Hot 97 for 21 years and was instrumental in launching The Notorious B.I.G.'s...
Etterlene “Mama” DeBarge has Died
Etterlene 'Mama' DeBarge, matriarch of the famous DeBarge musical family, has died. She was the mother of DeBarge group members and author of 'Other Side...
Philly Radio Host Mary Mason Passes at 94, Leaving a Legacy
Philadelphia radio host Mary Mason has passed away at age 94, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in broadcasting. The veteran radio personality was a beloved...