Angie Stone Exposes the Music Industry in Final IG Live Before Her Tragic Passing
In what would become one of her final public messages, R&B legend Angie Stone took to Instagram Live to share shocking revelations about her struggles in the music industry. Her raw and emotional message provided an inside look at the injustices she faced throughout her career, including financial exploitation, industry betrayal, and the personal toll it all took on her.
A Painful Revelation
During the IG Live, Angie Stone expressed her frustration and heartbreak over the challenges she had been facing, particularly in the last month of her life. She revealed that she had been dealing with personal struggles and setbacks that nearly broke her spirit.
She had been scheduled to perform at a show alongside Music Soulchild, Marsha Ambrosius, and Raheem DeVaughn, but an unforeseen incident forced her to cancel. While she did not go into detail about what happened, she made it clear that the situation deeply affected her, both emotionally and professionally.
Stone’s words were heavy with emotion as she told her fans, “I almost didn’t make it through this process.” She explained that she had kept certain struggles to herself for a long time but felt compelled to speak out before entering the new year. She encouraged her followers to stay on the live stream, hinting that she was about to expose something shocking.
Financial Exploitation in the Industry
One of the most disturbing revelations Angie Stone shared was about the financial manipulation and theft she endured throughout her career. She explained that despite decades of work in the music industry, she had been systematically robbed of the money she rightfully earned.
She directly called out Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming that the company had taken control of her royalties and mechanical rights without her knowledge. She accused them of mismanaging her earnings, absorbing funds that should have belonged to her, and failing to properly register her music.
“I should have been able to retire 20 years ago with the money I’ve made,” she stated. “But there are key people who have been driving the ship, taking my money, and improperly representing me.”
Stone revealed that class-action lawsuits were already underway, but she was unsure if she would ever see justice. She was especially hurt by the fact that the very people she trusted—lawyers, managers, and agents—had played a role in allowing her exploitation.
Fighting for Her Legacy
Angie Stone spoke candidly about the spiritual and emotional toll of her industry battles. She admitted that the betrayals she faced were deeply painful, yet she remained faithful and hopeful. She shared that she had been praying for those who wronged her, stating, “I constantly pray for the people who have wished me ill will or done anything to block my blessings.”
She also encouraged her fans to be vigilant and educated about the business side of music, warning aspiring artists not to blindly trust industry executives. Her message was clear: the music business is full of people who will take advantage of talent if given the chance.
A Message of Strength and Resilience
Despite everything she had been through, Stone remained optimistic. She shared that her Christmas song, “All I’m Missing,” had reached No. 1 in several countries, proving that her music still resonated with fans worldwide. However, she mentioned that even the release of this song faced industry pushback—it had been removed from platforms and then reinstated, another example of the obstacles she had to overcome.
She ended her live stream with a powerful message:
“God has carried me all this time. If you only knew how much they have taken from me, how much they have stolen from me… but I am still standing.”
A Heartbreaking Goodbye
Looking back at her final IG Live, it’s heartbreaking to realize that Angie Stone was fighting for her legacy up until the very end. She had dedicated her life to music, but the industry had repeatedly taken advantage of her talent and hard work. Her revelations serve as a wake-up call for artists and fans alike, exposing the dark realities of the music business.
While Angie Stone may no longer be here to fight for justice, her words will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps. Her courage in speaking out about the corruption in the industry is a testament to her resilience and strength.
Rest in power, Angie Stone. Your voice, both in music and in truth, will never be forgotten.