Angie Stone

Biography

Angela Laverne Stone (née Brown), known professionally as Angie Stone, was born on December 18, 1961, in Columbia, South Carolina. Raised in a gospel-rich environment, Stone’s earliest musical experiences came from singing in her church, which deeply influenced her vocal style and emotional delivery. Her professional journey began in 1979 as Angie B., a member of The Sequence, one of the first female hip-hop acts, marking her as a pioneer in the genre. In the early 1990s, Stone transitioned to R&B and neo-soul, joining the group Vertical Hold, where she honed her harmonization and songwriting skills. She also worked as a background vocalist and saxophonist for artists like Lenny Kravitz and contributed to D’Angelo’s debut album, Brown Sugar.

Stone’s solo career took off with the release of Black Diamond (1999), which showcased her blend of classic soul, R&B, and contemporary neo-soul. The album’s success, especially the hit “No More Rain (In This Cloud),” established her as a leading voice in neo-soul. Subsequent albums, including Mahogany Soul (2001) and Stone Love (2004), further solidified her reputation, with tracks like “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” becoming genre staples. Despite health challenges, including sarcoidosis, Stone continued to record and perform, earning multiple Grammy nominations and industry awards.

Angie Stone’s musical style is characterized by her rich, emotive vocals, gospel-infused melodies, and honest lyricism. She played a significant role in shaping the neo-soul movement, both as a performer and songwriter, influencing a generation of artists with her authenticity and versatility. Her legacy includes not only her own recordings but also her contributions to the works of other major artists, making her a respected figure in contemporary soul and R&B.

Fun Facts

• Angie Stone was one of the first female rappers to achieve mainstream success as part of The Sequence.
• She battled sarcoidosis, a chronic respiratory disease, throughout her career but continued performing and recording.
• Stone made her Broadway debut as Big Mama Morton in 'Chicago' in 2003.
• She was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2024.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Gospel Church Musicians - Early musical foundation and vocal training through church performances (Church choir performances) [1960s-1970s]

Key Collaborators

• D'Angelo - Co-writer and background vocalist; contributed to his debut and sophomore albums (Brown Sugar (1995), Voodoo (2000)) [1995-2000]
• Lenny Kravitz - Saxophonist and background vocalist on his Let Love Rule Tour (Let Love Rule Tour)
• Vertical Hold - Band member, vocalist, and songwriter (A Matter of Time (1993)) [1990-1996]
• Calvin Richardson - Duet partner on 'More Than A Woman' (Mahogany Soul (2001))

Artists Influenced

• Alicia Keys - Cited Stone’s neo-soul style and songwriting as an influence on her own work (Songs in A Minor (2001)) [2000s]
• Jill Scott - Inspired by Stone’s blend of gospel and soul in neo-soul movement (Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (2000)) [2000s]

Source: Wikipedia

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Wish I Didn't Miss You (Mahogany Soul)
2. No More Rain (In This Cloud) (Black Diamond (Deluxe Edition))
3. Brotha (Mahogany Soul)
4. More Than A Woman (feat. Calvin) (Mahogany Soul)
5. Keep Your Worries (Streetsoul)
6. Heaven Help (Black Diamond (Deluxe Edition))
7. Wish I Didn't Miss You - Pound Boys Stoneface Bootleg Mix
8. These Eyes (Covered in Soul)
9. Pissed Off (Mahogany Soul)
10. Excuse Me (Instant Vintage)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia- MusicBrainz

Tags: #contemporary-r&b, #neo-soul, #r&b