Remembering the musical greats we lost in 2023

[Low End Derrick]

Remembering the musical greats we lost in 2023
In 2023, we lost iconic performers and characters who filled the world with their music and talents. NME remembers them​

The end of each year might feel like a celebratory moment and a chance to remember all the greatness that has filled the previous 12 months. To look back on only the positives, though, would be to forget the many musical legends that sadly left this mortal coil. In 2023, there’s been a lot of them, all of whom have had big impact – whether on a breadth of modern music or in the scenes that raised them.

Gangsta Boo (August 7, 1979 – January 1, 2023)​

Lola Chantrelle Mitchell – known professionally as Gangsta Boo – first rose to fame as a member of Memphis hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, whom she joined at the age of 14 after being discovered by founding member DJ Paul. She appeared on five of the outfit’s albums before leaving to focus on solo projects and quickly became a star in her own right. Her second album, 2001’s ‘Both Worlds *69’, entered the Top 40 of the Billboard 200, while the rapper became a go-to collaborator for many of hip-hop’s biggest and brightest names, from Eminem and Run The Jewels to rising stars like Latto and GloRilla. Mitchell died of an accidental drug overdose in January at the age of 43.

David “Trugoy The Dove” Jolicoeur (September 21, 1968 – February 12, 2023)​

While he is best known as one-third of De La Soul, David “Trugoy The Dove” Jolicoeur’s story started with individual undertakings. The Long Island rapper forged his own path initially before teaming up with Vincent “Maseo” Mason and Kelvin “Posdunos” Mercer to form the hip-hop group. Together, they brought positivity to rap, releasing nine albums since 1989’s ‘3 Feet High And Rising’. They went on to collaborate with Gorillaz on their 2005 single ‘Feel Good Inc.’, picking up a Grammy along the way. Jolicoeur was diagnosed with congestive heart failure towards the end of his life. He died in February at the age of 54.

Wayne Shorter (August 25, 1933 – March 2, 2023)​

A titan of jazz and funk, Shorter lived and performed with them all: he played crucial roles in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis’ Second Great Quintet and of jazz fusion band The Weather Report. Over a 70 year performing career, he was considered a saxophonist and composer that few could match, and inspired rising talents such as Domi and JD Beck, London Brew and more. He died aged 89.

Ahmad Jamal (July 2, 1930 – April 16, 2023)​

The Pittsburgh pianist was a master of his craft. His 1958 live album ‘At the Pershing: But Not for Me’ was recorded at his residency at the Chicago hotel and was an immediate best-seller, his mastery best encapsulated on the hypnotic tinkle on the standard ‘Poinciana’. His skills as a bandleader and performer were on display for much of his life, and he released his final studio album in 2019. He died from complications following a prostate cancer diagnosis aged 92.

Harry Belafonte (March 1, 1927 – April 25, 2023)​

New York singer, actor and activist Harry Belafonte worked with genres across the musical spectrum in his career, but he is often credited as one of the artists who popularised calypso music in the mainstream. His third album, fittingly titled ‘Calypso’, reinforced that fact – it became the first LP to sell over a million copies by a single artist. Over his journey, he released 30 studio albums and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s Early Influence category in 2022. He died in April from congestive heart failure. He was 96 years old.

Tina Turner (November 26, 1939 – May 24, 2023)​

The “Queen of Rock’n’Roll” might have started out as part of ex-husband Ike’s The Kings Of Rhythm, later gaining more attention as one half of the duo Ike & Tina Turner, but she hit her dizziest highs all on her own. After largely unsuccessful solo releases in the ‘70s, her 1983 single ‘Let’s Stay Together’ became an unexpected hit, sparking not just one of the most stunning comebacks in music history, but a wealth of beloved and beguiling records to follow. Turner went on to become one of the best-selling artists ever and is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. She died in her home in Switzerland from natural causes in May at the age of 83.

Tony Bennett (August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023)​

One of America’s finest crooners, Tony Bennett’s talents spanned decades and generations. After serving in World War II, the star returned home and began his music career on an instant high – his debut single ‘Because Of You’ hit Number One on the charts, setting the bar high. In the ensuing decades, Bennett didn’t disappoint – even when he fell out of favour to rock’n’roll, he found a way back by sticking to timeless sounds. His influence never wavered since, and he found a close collaborator in pop star Lady Gaga, with whom he released two albums. Bennett died in July after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Sinéad O’Connor (December 8, 1966 – July 26, 2023)​

Sinéad O’Connor was known for her powerful voice – both in her music and in her commitment to speaking out on the issues she believed mattered. When she appeared on SNL in 1992, she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II in protest of child abuse in the church. Throughout her career, she spoke openly of her struggles with mental health, using her platform to raise awareness and to advocate for other female artists, like Britney Spears. After releasing 10 albums and scoring five Top 40 singles in the UK, O’Connor died in July at the age of 56.

Magoo (July 12, 1973 – August 13, 2023)​

Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff first met his musical partner Timbaland as a teenager in Norfolk, Virginia and, in 1989, became a hit rap duo together. Their debut album ‘Welcome To Our World’ spawned the chart-conquering single ‘Up Jumps Da Boogie (feat. Missy Elliott and Aaliyah)’ and served as the first part in a trilogy of releases. In 2003, they shared their last release – ‘Under Construction, Part II’, intended as a sequel to Missy’s own ‘Under Construction’. Magoo died in August from a heart attack. He was 50 years old.

Rudolph Isley (April 1, 1939 – October 11, 2023)​

Alongside his brothers Kelly, Ronnie and Vernon, Rudolph “Rudy” Isley formed The Isley Brothers when he was a teenager in Cincinnati. Together, the brothers (minus Vernon, who died in 1957) illuminated the R&B and funk scenes with hits like ‘Shout’ and ‘It’s Your Thing’. Despite their success, Isley decided to leave the music industry in 1989 to become a Christian minister. He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and died this October from a heart attack at the age of 84.

Remembering the musical greats we lost in 2023

In 2023, we lost iconic performers and characters who filled the world with their music. NME remembers them

www.nme.com

 

[Low End Derrick]

 

[Double Burger With Cheese]

Yall funny as hell. nikkas sit here and write all these think pieces talking down on rap and black culture in general. And at the same time showing love to gangster rappers like Gangsta Boo. If Gangsta Boo was a current rapper right now, yall would be calling this lady all kind of bullshyt. And this not directed you OP. Just the overall tone of the board. nikkas sit on here talking down on rap music so much. Mostly the same group of fakkits leading the charge and a lot follower ass nikkas co-signing.

 

[Piff Perkins]

Within the next few years, the last jazz titans from the 50s/60s will be gone. Shorter was one of the last guys who played with Miles Davis, which is crazy to think about it.

 

[@OffHalsted]

Harry Belafonte died?.. Why don't I remember that​

 

[I'm Blackman]

Damn we lost some legends this year.

 

[Low End Derrick]

Yall funny as hell. nikkas sit here and write all these think pieces talking down on rap and black culture in general. And at the same time showing love to gangster rappers like Gangsta Boo. If Gangsta Boo was a current rapper right now, yall would be calling this lady all kind of bullshyt. And this not directed you OP. Just the overall tone of the board. nikkas sit on here talking down on rap music so much. Mostly the same group of fakkits leading the charge and a lot follower ass nikkas co-signing.

Yeah na I aint with all that pearl clutching.

 

[morris]

 

[Justin Nitsuj]

Rest in peace to all except Tina Turner