The music industry is mourning Sly Stone. After news broke that the groundbreaking musician had died at 82 on Monday, stars from Questlove and Chuck D to Clairo and Fatboy Slim shared tributes for the star.
Stone’s family announced his death in a statement Monday, writing that his death was due to a “prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues.” The family wrote that he had passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, friends, and extended family. “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come,” Stone’s family wrote.
Questlove, who directed two documentaries and wrote a book about Stone, shared a lengthy tribute Monday evening, describing his impact on the industry as something that “will echo forever.”
“Sly was a giant — not just for his groundbreaking work with the Family Stone, but for the radical inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into every note,” Questlove wrote. “His songs weren’t just about fighting injustice; they were about transforming the self to transform the world. He dared to be simple in the most complex ways — using childlike joy, wordless cries, and nursery rhyme cadences to express adult truths. His work looked straight at the brightest and darkest parts of life and demanded we do the same.”
Following the news, hip-hop trio EarthGang shared an obituary for Stone, writing “Rest in peace to a heavy influence in our music, Sly Stone,” on X. Clairo posted via her Instagram story, “This one really hurts. RIP.” Rapper Wynne also wrote simply, “RIP the legend Sly Stone.”
Public Enemy’s Chuck D celebrated Stone and shared his gratitude for Questlove. “Rest In Beats SLY Stone ..and we should THANK @questlove of @theroots for keeping his FIRE blazing in this Century. 2 documentaries and book,” Chuck wrote.
Civil rights activist and attorney Ben Crump also shared his appreciation for the music visionary. “Sly didn’t just make music — he redefined what a band could sound like. His art helped form a funk movement and his spirit gave rhythm to revolution,” Crump wrote on X.
Fatboy Slim commented on the Instagram post announcing Stone’s passing: “Goodbye Sly Stone, thankyoufalletinusbeourselvesagain.” Mike Scott of The Waterboys also wrote, “Thank you for all the inspiration, for breaking ground so others could follow and for being sassiest, funkiest Being on planet earth.”
Stone rose to fame with his band, Sly & the Family Stone, which he formed over the course of 1966 and 1967. The band featured Sly and his siblings Rose and Freddie, along with cousins Greg Errico and Jerry Martini, as well as bassist Larry Graham and trumpeter Cynthia Robinson. They had a breakthrough hit with 1968’s “Dance to the Music,” and the iconic group climbed the charts with many more, including “Life,” “Stand!,” “Everyday People,” and “Hot Fun in the Summertime.”
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