American soul legend Roberta Flack has passed away.
The singer experienced a stroke in 2018 and faced various health challenges in recent years. A statement from Flack's family confirms her death, noting that she passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
“We are heartbroken that the magnificent Roberta Flack left us this morning, February 24, 2025,” the statement reads. “She died peacefully with family by her side. Roberta shattered boundaries and set records. She was also a dedicated educator.”
Born in North Carolina, Roberta Flack was first drawn to classical and sacred music. A gifted artist, she earned a scholarship to Howard University, showcasing her remarkable abilities across genres including folk, jazz, and soul.
Soul jazz legend Les McCann played a significant role in Flack's breakthrough, helping to introduce her music to executives at Atlantic Records. Her debut album, 'First Take,' was released in 1969 and was recorded in an impressive 10 hours from start to finish.
Her reinterpretation of the folk song 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' transformed it into a soulful classic, eventually becoming a sleeper hit after being featured in a 1971 Clint Eastwood film, rising to the top of the American charts and achieving global success.
Winning a Grammy Award, Roberta Flack continued her success with a series of essential releases, including the iconic 'Killing Me Softly With His Song.'
An extraordinary vocalist, she collaborated with soul icon Donny Hathaway on several projects while retaining her own artistic freedom.
Working with artists ranging from Michael Jackson to Leonard Cohen, Roberta Flack kept writing, recording, producing, and touring well into the 21st century, including a Beatles tribute album released in 2012.
Tributes are flooding in for a singer who personified femininity in soul and R&B. Jennifer Hudson remarked: “one of the greatest soul singers of all time. Rest well, Ms. Flack. Your legacy lives on.”
Rest in power, Roberta Flack.
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American soul legend Roberta Flack has passed away. The singer experienced a stroke in 2018 and faced several health challenges in the years that followed.