For many of us personally, we suffered from a lot of loss in 2024. But as a culture, we lost some of our most beloved icons in music, arts, and entertainment.
Here are a few in memoriam.
1. Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni, one of the most famous and recognizable Black poets, passed away at 81. Giovanni died on Monday, Dec. 9, following her third cancer diagnosis, according to a statement from friend and author Renée Watson. “We will forever be grateful for the unconditional time she gave to us, to all her literary children across the writerly world,” said poet Kwame Alexander in the statement.
Giovanni has been published in many poetry anthologies, released several poetry recordings, nonfiction essays, children’s books, and several essays analyzing race, class, sexism, and other social issues. She has been awarded an unprecedented seven NAACP Image Awards, and has been nominated for a Grammy. She has also been a finalist for the National Book Award, and authored three New York Times and Los Angeles Times Best Sellers.
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Born Yolanda Cornelia Giovanni, Jr., on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni published her first poetry collection, Black Feeling Black Talk, in 1968. It established her as an emerging figure out of the Black Arts Movement. In it, Giovanni writes about the intersections of love, politics, loneliness and race. Her language is sometimes spare and longing, other times dense and righteous. The final lines in “Word Poem” read, “let’s build / what we become /when we dream.”
Though she grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and its surrounding suburbs, she returned to Nashville to attend Fisk University for college. There, she met other writers who’d become leading Black literary figures – Dudley Randall, Margaret Walker, Amiri Baraka and more. While at Fisk, she also re-established the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
As her writing career took off, Giovanni became a regular guest on Soul!, a Black arts and culture talk show on WNET. Her conversation with the acclaimed writer James Baldwin came on the heels of being named “Woman of the Year” by both Ebony magazine and Mademoiselle.
Giovanni eventually found her way to Virginia Tech, teaching English for more than three decades. There, she expressed concerns about one of her students. He’d go on to murder 32 people in the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007. Speaking about the shooting, Giovanni told NPR, “Killing is a lack of creation. It’s a lack of imagination. It’s a lack of understanding who you are and your place in the world. Life is an interesting and a good idea.”
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2. Tony Todd
Hollywood actor and horror icon Tony Todd has passed away at the age of 69. The actor, who was best known for starring in the Candyman and Final Destination horror franchises passed away on the evening of November 6, 2024 at his home in Marina Del Rey, California. His death was confirmed by a representative however a cause of death was not disclosed. Throughout his 40-year career, Todd had more than 240 film and TV credits to his name.
For those of us who remember repeating the phrase, “Candyman” in the mirror, brought about fright and horrific tingles up our spines–Todd is the man responsible for that.
If you can remember, Todd also appeared in the 1989 film Lean On Me with Morgan Freeman before starring in his most notable roles. Todd was also a prolific voice actor, voicing the Fallen in Michael Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009), Zoom in The Flash (2014–2023), Darkseid in the DC Animated Movie Universe (2015–2020), and Venom in the video game Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (2023). For the latter, he received a nomination from the British Academy Games Award.
3. Elizabeth Francis
Known by her nickname, “The Queen Elizabeth of Houston,” Elizabeth Francis passed away this week at age 115, making her the oldest person in the United States and the third oldest person in the world.
While Francis was asked about her secret to longevity when she spoke with Today.com in August, the grateful great-great-grandmother responded, “It’s not my secret. It’s the good Lord’s blessing. I just thank God I’m here.”
“Try to do the best thing you can to everybody,” she told the morning show. “Love everybody.”
During her certification as the oldest living person in the country, Francis told LongeviQuest, an organization that tracks human longevity, that her life advice is: “If the good Lord gave it to you, use it! Speak your mind, don’t hold your tongue!”
4. Quincy Jones
The music world is mourning a true music legend. The legendary Hall of Fame songwriter, record producer and performer Quincy Jones has passed away at the age of 91.
The 28-time Grammy winner passed away in November at his home in Bel Air, California.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” the Jones family said in the statement. “He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Jones Worked With and Knew Everybody!
Jones has a long and varied list of credits which include composing the score for the Oscar-winning film, “In the Heat of the Night,” producing Michael Jackson’s blockbuster “Thriller” album and gathering dozens of pop and rock stars to record the 1985 charity single “We Are the World.”
Born in Chicago to a carpenter father and a mother who suffered from mental illness, Jones developed a love of music early on and took up the piano. His family eventually moved to Seattle, Washington, where Jones began taking lessons from famed horn player Clark Terry.
He also met and became close friends with a then-unknown pianist named Ray Charles. The pair would enjoy a lifelong friendship.
A teenage Jones began performing with jazz bands, and his talent at composing and arranging music drew the attention of bandleader Lionel Hampton. Jones was only 15 when Hampton invited him to tour with the group, something Hampton’s wife, Gladys, put a stop to right away.
“I got on the band bus right away, and Gladys got on and said, “Hamp, what’s that child doing on the bus?” Jones recalled in an interview with the National Endowment for the Arts. “And I was so upset. And she said, ‘Get him off here. Make him go back to school. We’ll call him later when he gets his schooling.’”
Jones heeded her advice, finished school and earned a scholarship to Schillinger House (now known as Berklee College of Music) in Boston, from which he graduated in 1951. After graduation, he headed out on tour with Hampton and his band.
Thus began a storied a career which found Jones soon arranging and recording for such legends as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and his friend Ray Charles. Bandleader Lionel Hampton, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and other giants also tapped the young Jones for their European tours.
In 1982 Jones had one of his most famous collaboration when he produced Jackson’s best-selling album “Thriller.”
Three years later, he called on Jackson and a host of other stars for the charity single “We Are the World.” That same year he found success on the big screen with producing the Steven Spielberg-directed film “The Color Purple.”
Jones also had a hit on the small screen with and the television series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which starred his mentee Will Smith.
Jones delved into the world of publication in 1993, when he founded the music/cultural magazine Vibe, which he sold in 2006.
5. DJ Clark Kent
World-famous DJ Clark Kent passed away at 58 years old following a three-year battle with colon cancer. Clark Kent’s family confirmed his death in a statement posted to the super-producer’s Instagram page one Friday afternoon (Oct. 25).
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of the beloved Rodolfo A. Franklin, known to the world as DJ Clark Kent,” the statement reads. “Clark passed away Thursday evening surrounded by his devoted wife Kesha, daughter Kabriah and son Antonio.”
Kent was known for his contributions to the hip-hop community, and also for his sneaker collection. Throughout his career, he produced songs for hip-hop heavyweights like JAY-Z, Notorious B.IG., Rakim, Lil Kim, Kanye West and more. He referred to him himself as “God’s favorite DJ.”
In the late 1980s, DJ Clark Kent was legendary rap pioneer Dana Dane’s DJ. Around this time, Kent would DJ at clubs such as one just around the block from Downtown Records on West 26th Street in Manhattan which was a short-lived hip-hop hotbed with other DJs also performing there, such as Funkmaster Flex and Kid Capri. In 1989, he produced the remix for Troop’s hit song “Spread My Wings.”
He later scored his first street hit with the Junior M.A.F.I.A. song “Player’s Anthem” which featured The Notorious B.I.G. and was also the first record that Lil’ Kim appeared on. The biggest hit he produced was “Loverboy” by Mariah Carey, which peaked at #2 in the US on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. He has produced tracks for artists such as Lil’ Kim, The Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Vicious, Mona Lisa, 50 Cent, Canibus, Mad Skillz, Estelle, Slick Rick and Rakim, as well as groups like The Future Sound and Original Flavor, which were signed to East West Records and Atlantic Records respectively. Both groups were signed by Clark, who was a director of A&R at Atlantic at the time.
6. John Amos
John Amos, the legendary Emmy-nominated actor who starred as the hard-nosed, street smart father on the hit show “Good Times” passed away. He was 84.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” his son said in a statement. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold … and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
Before pursuing acting, he moved to New York and was a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, working with defendants at the Brooklyn House of Detention.
Amos, whose original plan was to play professional football, played football at Colorado State University and had training camp tryouts with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League. He graduated from Colorado State University with a sociology degree. But at a chance audition, he saw his television career take off after he landed a role to play WJM-TV weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Many years earlier, Amos had been in the McDonald’s training program before appearing as an employee for the fast-food chain in a well-known ’70s commercial (“Grab a bucket and mop, scrub the bottom and top!”) that he said helped put his kids through college.
7. Fat Man Scoop
Hip-Hop icon and hypeman Fatman Scoop, best known for his husky adlibs on some of the biggest hits, has passed away after collapsing on stage during a performance in Connecticut.
He was 53 years young.
Born Isaac Freeman III, the hype man and radio personality was performing at a summer concert, Friday, hosted at Hamden Town Center Park in Connecticut. Hamden is six miles from New Haven.
Mayor Lauren Garrett shared on Facebook that the rapper had a “medical emergency on stage” and was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
What Happened at the Concert Before He Collapsed?
A video from the concert showed Scoop hyping up the crowd at Hamden’s Green and Gold Party just moments before the collapse. After he collapsed, another performer could be seen leading the crowd in prayer as a group of people huddled around the rear of the stage.
Scoop’s tour manager Birch Michael confirmed the rapper’s death on social media. He did not provide any information about what caused Scoop’s collapse or death.
“I am honestly lost for words,” Michael posted early Saturday morning. ” You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today.”
Scoop’s ex wife, Shanda Freeman, paid tribute to the beloved hype man and musician.
On Saturday, Aug. 31, the author and life coach shared a series of photos of Fatman Scoop — real name Isaac Freeman III — on Instagram shortly after his death was announced, and a day after he collapsed onstage during a concert in Connecticut.
In one post, she wrote a heartfelt tribute to her late ex-husband, describing him as an “icon” and sharing her “love” for him.
“I would like to PERSONALLY THANK each and EVERY PERSON that has shown so much LOVE for Isaac @fatmanscoop and myself. He was an ICON and LEGEND and so many people love him,” Shanda wrote on Instagram, alongside a YouTube screenshot of their ’00s MTV reality show Man & Wife.
“He was a pure heart and loved reaching back and helping others. Isaac had THE BEST PARENTS and learned his heart through them. He will FOREVER be MISSED, APPRECIATED and ADORED by so many,” she added. “He put me in front of the camera and I’ll forever be GRATEFUL and LOVE HIM. Thank you ALL SO MUCH!! Shanda ❤️🙏🏾”
8. Frankie Beverly
Music legend and icon Frankie Beverly has passed away at the age of 77, according to an announcement from his family on his Instagram page.
The announcement was made at approximately 8 a.m. Sept. 11. According to the post, Beverly, whose real name is Howard Stanley Beverly, passed away on Sept. 10.
“Grieving the loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional experience,” the statement began. “During this time, as we are navigating feelings of sorrow, reflection, and remembrance we kindly ask for privacy and understanding, allowing us the space to grieve in our own way. This period for is one of healing, and your respect for our need for solitude is appreciated as we honor the memory of our beloved Howard Stanley Beverly known to the world as Frankie Beverly.”
“He lived his life with pure soul as one would say, and for us, no one did it better. He lived for his music, family and friends.”
“Love one another as he would want that for us all.”
Howard Stanley Beverly aka Frankie Beverly
12/6/46 – 9/10/24
The Beverly Family
Mr. Beverly, who also produced and played guitar, was the founder and driving force behind Maze, a seven- and then eight-piece group that quickly became one of Black America’s favorite groups.
Beginning in the late 1970s, they developed a reputation as an energetic live act, and rose to the top of the R&B chart with songs that were later sampled by hip-hop artists including 50 Cent, Wale, and the New York duo Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock.
“Southern Girl,” “Feel That You’re Feelin’ ” and “Joy and Pain” became staples of R&B radio stations and decades of house parties. The band’s most enduring hit, the jubilant 1981 single “Before I Let Go,” peaked at No. 13 on the R&B chart and was later covered by Beyoncé.
Maze’s touring success boggles the mind. The band hasn’t had a studio album to promote since 1993, but they sing and play to sold-out shows in city after city, year after year.
“There isn’t a cookout, not a wedding or family reunion in Black America where you won’t hear” the song, Essence magazine declared in 2017.
In March, Beverly was even awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP Image Awards.
