*Family, friends, and fans gathered at Word of Faith Cathedral in Atlanta on March 14 to celebrate the life and legacy of R&B legend Angie Stone. The funeral, live-streamed for those who couldn’t attend, featured powerful musical performances and heartfelt speeches, including an emotional eulogy from Tyler Perry.
While the ceremony honored Stone’s contributions, Perry used his speech to call out the music industry for failing to fairly compensate her during her lifetime. Expressing frustration, he said, “Y’all got to forgive me because I’m angry at the way she was treated. I did not know all the things that she was going through [until] recently.”
His remarks referred to longstanding claims that Stone was owed millions in unpaid royalties.
“All of those years, all of those songs, all of that money that was owed to her — where is it? It’s wrong, this is wrong, and I’m tired of seeing us struggle and go through things and work hard and not reap the benefits of what we were supposed to reap,” he continued.
Perry highlighted the harsh reality of financial struggles for artists, emphasizing, “To think that this woman was in the business for all of these years and there’s a difference between performing because you want to and performing because you have to.”
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Perry’s comments echoed Stone’s statements from earlier this year in a now-viral video. “I should have been able to retire 20 years ago with the money I’ve made,” she said.
Stone, 63, tragically passed away on March 1 in a car accident while traveling home from a performance in Montgomery, Alabama. She was the only fatality in the collision involving an 18-wheeler.
We reported earlier… the heartfelt memorial service was a poignant acknowledgment of Stone’s illustrious musical career and her lasting impact on the lives of those who loved her. The atmosphere at the cathedral was filled with love and remembrance. Angie’s family, who described her as a guiding light in their lives, took the opportunity to share their fond memories.
The emotional depth of the service was further enhanced by powerful performances. Artists like Kirk Franklin, Keke Wyatt, Anthony Hamilton, and Tamela Mann honored Stone with their musical gifts. Keke Wyatt’s 10-minute rendition of “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” deeply moved the audience, showcasing the emotional connection shared through music.
READ MORE FROM EURWEB.COM: A Star-Studded Farewell: Remembering Angie Stone at Her Memorial Service | WATCH
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