The acclaimed soul singer, Betty Wright, has died aged 66 after a long battle with cancer.
She died peacefully in her home in Miami surrounded by family.
Betty Wright began singing from the age of 2, eventually signing to a record company at the incredibly young age of 12, and later going on to win a Grammy.
The R&B stalwart had numerous hits, including Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do, Clean Up Woman, and Tonight Is the Night. Wright released her debut album My First Time Around when she was just 14 years old.
Wright won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1975 for Where Is The Love. She was also sampled by innumerable artists, ranging from Chance the Rapper through to Beyoncé. Viola Davis Tweeted, “RIP to the legend, your influence and mega talent will make you immortal. Rest well, Queen.”
In a statement from Universal Music’s President, Evan Lamberg, he described Wright as “a complete creative force of nature and a groundbreaking talent. She was also one of the most independent and powerful women I have ever met. Betty inspired a path of empowerment for women in the music business that lives on to this day.”
In a Twitter post from Dawn Richard of the group Danity Kane, Richard explained, “She was one of our vocal trainers during the beginnings of DK. I loved that she was unafraid to add grit to any lyric. She helped us emote and find our voices as women in the industry. Thank you Ms. B. RIP.”
Wright is remembered by her five children.
