Angie Stone
Angie Stone was a renowned American R&B and neo-soul singer-songwriter with a career spanning over four decades. Born Angela Laverne Brown on December 18, 1961, in Columbia, South Carolina, she passed away on March 1, 2025, at age 63.
Raised in a gospel music family, Stone showed early talent influenced by church singing. She began performing locally before breaking into hip-hop as Angie B. with The Sequence, the first female rap group signed to Sugar Hill Records, scoring a hit with "Funk You Up" in 1980.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, she contributed as a background vocalist and saxophonist, working with Lenny Kravitz and others. She joined R&B/hip-hop group Vertical Hold, releasing albums like A Matter of Time (1993).
Signed to Arista, her 1999 debut Black Diamond went gold, featuring the chart-topping Adult R&B single "No More Rain (In This Cloud)". Follow-ups included Mahogany Soul (2001) with "Wish I Didn't Miss You" and The Art of Love & War (2007), her sole Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart-topper.
Stone appeared in films like Love & Basketball (2000), The Hot Chick (2002), and Ride Along (2014). Grammy-nominated, she influenced neo-soul with soulful vocals evoking Aretha Franklin.
Black Diamond
Producer – Angie Stone
Written-By – A. Stone
0:42
2 No More Rain (In This Cloud)
Producer – Angie Stone
Written-By – B. Williams, A. Stone, G. Chambers, J. Weatherly
4:42
3 Green Grass Vapors
Producer – Aaron "Freedom" Lyles, Angie Stone
Written-By – A. Lyles, S. Bolton
4:14
4 Everyday
Producer – Russell Elevado
Written-By – A. Stone, D'Angelo
3:28
5 Coulda Been You
Producer – Angie Stone, Phil Temple, Rex Rideout
Written-By – A. Stone, P. Temple, R. Rideout, S. Aiken
4:25
6 Visions
Producer – U-Neek Entertainment
Written-By – J. Lind, M. White, T. Middleton, V. Davis Jr.
3:31
7 Life Story
Co-producer – Cutfather & Joe
Producer – Gerry DeVeaux
Written-By – C. Ross, G. DeVeaux
4:07
8 Just A Pimp
Producer – Aaron "Freedom" Lyles, Angie Stone
Written-By – A. Lyles, S. Bolton
4:12
9 Trouble Man
Producer – Aaron "Freedom" Lyles, Angie Stone
Written-By – M. Gaye
2:33
10 Bone 2 Pic (Wit U)
Producer – Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Written-By – A. S. Muhammad, A. Stone, C. Alford
5:19
11 Man Loves His Money
Producer – Aaron "Freedom" Lyles, Angie Stone
Written-By – A. Lyles, S. Bolton
4:11
12 Love Junkie
Arranged By [Additional] – A. Lyles
Producer – Aaron "Freedom" Lyles, Angie Stone
Written-By – A. Stone
4:18
13 Black Diamonds & Blue Pearls (Interlude)
Producer – Angie Stone
Written-By – A. Stone
1:35
14 Heaven Help
Producer – Gerry DeVeaux
Written-By – G. DeVeaux, T. Britten
3:19
15 Don't Wanna Ride Without You
Producer – Angie Stone
Written-By – A. Stone
4:10
Label: Arista – 07822-19092-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1999
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
Angie Stone’s 1999 debut album, Black Diamond, is a critically acclaimed cornerstone of modern neo-soul, blending classic 70s soul with contemporary, slick production.
Renowned for hits like "No More Rain (In This Cloud)," the album is praised for its mature, heartfelt lyrics and Stone's rich, confident vocals.
A masterful mix of retro Motown, funk, and soulful ballads. It perfectly captured the late-90s neo-soul movement with a nostalgic, earthy feel.
Key Tracks:
"No More Rain (In This Cloud)": The breakout single noted for its smooth, emotional and melodic power.
"Love Junkie": A self-produced, funky track characterized by its infectious hook.
"Everyday": A standout track co-written with D'Angelo.
"Freedom": Sets the tone with a powerful, gospel-infused, intro.
The album is considered meticulously produced and very consistent. It received high praise from major outlets like AllMusic, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly.
Black Diamond solidified Stone as a premier vocalist and songwriter, marking a triumphant solo debut after years as a session singer and member of groups like The Sequence.
While some critics noted that later albums offered tighter songwriting, Black Diamond remains highly regarded as a soulful masterpiece (rated 4/5 by Soul In Stereo and often perfect scores from others.)