DJ Unk, Irv Gotti, Angie Stone and More: The Losses That Shook the Culture in 2025

It’s no secret that 2025 has been an incredibly heavy year. It feels like every time we check our feed, there’s news of another icon transitioning.

While there have been many losses this year, some deaths have truly left us in absolute shock and disbelief. These aren’t just names; they are the architects of our sound, the faces of our favorite memories, and the fighters for our freedom. While there are many more we are missing, we’re holding space for the most talked-about and culture-shifting losses of the year.

• DJ Unk (January 24): The Atlanta legend behind the anthem “Walk It Out” passed away at just 43 years old. His wife confirmed he suffered a fatal heart attack, leaving the ATL snap music community heartbroken.

• Irv Gotti (February 5): The founder of Murder Inc. who dominated the early 2000s passed away at 54. The mogul’s death in New York marked the end of a legendary chapter in hip-hop executive history.

• Voletta Wallace (February 21): The mother of The Notorious B.I.G. passed away at 72.

• Roberta Flack (February 24): The “Killing Me Softly” songstress passed away in Manhattan at 88. After a courageous battle with ALS, the music world lost one of its most soulful voices.

• Angie Stone (March 1): The soul queen’s life was tragically cut short in a car crash south of Montgomery, Alabama, at 63. Her passing was one of the most unexpected tragedies of the spring.

• George Foreman (March 21): The boxing great and business titan passed away in Houston at 76. From the ring to our kitchens, “Big George” was a household name that will never be replaced.

• Young Scooter (March 28): The Atlanta rapper behind the hit, “Colombia,” tragically lost his life during a 911 swatting incident.

• Ananda Lewis (June 11): After a very public and courageous fight against breast cancer, the iconic MTV VJ passed away at 52.

• Malcolm-Jamal Warner (July 20): The “Cosby Show” star’s accidental drowning during a vacation in Costa Rica sent shockwaves through the industry. At 54, he was a beloved figure whose transition was felt by generations.

• Rolling Ray (September 3): The internet lost one of its most unapologetic stars when Ray passed away at 28. Whether it was “It’s giving!” or his viral beefs, Ray’s presence was a daily staple on our timelines.

• Assata Shakur (September 25): An icon of resistance, the activist and godmother to Tupac passed away in Havana, Cuba, at 78. Her transition marked the end of a revolutionary era.

• D’Angelo (October 14): The music world stood still when news broke that the neo-soul genius passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 51. The loss hit harder knowing he was in the middle of working on new music.

• Marshawn Kneeland (November 6): The Dallas Cowboys defensive end was just 24 when he passed away. As a rising star in the NFL, his sudden death was a reminder of how precious life is.

• Viola Fletcher (November 24): At 111 years old, the oldest survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre passed away. Her life was a living history lesson, and her death was a moment of national reflection.

• Richard Smallwood (December 30): The gospel star behind “Total Praise” passed away, leaving behind a musical legacy that spans decades.

• Isiah Whitlock Jr. (December 30): At 71, “The Wire” star passed away following an undisclosed illness.

 

There are so many more names we’ve had to say goodbye to this year, and each one has left a permanent mark on those who loved them.

While our hearts are heavy, we choose to celebrate the joy, the music, and the inspiration they gave us while they were here. We are sending our deepest love and continuous prayers to the families, friends, and fans of every soul lost this year. Their legacies are permanent, and they will live on in our hearts forever.