Brooklyn, NY – Soul singer Charles Bradley has passed away at 68 after succumbing to cancer. Diagnosed in 2016, Bradley quickly underwent ...
Brooklyn, NY – Soul singer Charles Bradley has passed away at 68 after succumbing to cancer. Diagnosed in 2016, Bradley quickly underwent treatment and was healthy enough to return to the road earlier this year. Sadly, the cancer returned and spread to his liver. Bradley died on September 23 in Brooklyn.
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Charles Bradley. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time pic.twitter.com/FFqQ1K1pX5
— Charles Bradley (@Charles_Bradley) September 23, 2017
The singer went peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, including members of the bands he worked closely with — Menahan Street Band, His Extraordinaires, Budos Band and the Jimmy Hill Allstarz.
Born in 1948 in Gainesville, Florida, Bradley was estranged from his family at a young age and homeless for a period of time before reconnecting with his mother in 1996. Together, they settled in Brooklyn, where his career took off.
He was eventually signed to Daptone Records after years of moonlighting as a James Brown impersonator under his stage name Black Velvet. Daptone co-founder Gabriel Roth discovered him while Bradley was performing at a club under his stage moniker one night.
Bradley started pumping out singles in 2002 with Daptone, but his first official studio album wasn’t released until 2011, when he dropped No Time For Dreaming. In 2016, he released what would be his final album, Changes, which featured a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.”
Many Hip Hop artists have sampled Bradley’s music, including JAY-Z on the 2013 song “Open Letter.”
Countless members of the music community took to social media to express their condolences. From Questlove and El-P to Atmosphere and BADBADNOTGOOD, it’s clear Bradley’s music left a lasting impact, one that will be felt long after his death.
Check out those reactions below.
RIP Charles Bradley
— Yung Crypto (@Gramatik) September 23, 2017
Rest in peace to the great Charles Bradley.
— el-p (@therealelp) September 23, 2017
Rest In Peace Charles Bradley
— LAMBOLAMBO (@LAMBOLAMBO) September 23, 2017
Charles Bradley
— dadmosphere (@atmosphere) September 23, 2017
RIP Charles Bradley
— Wax Poetics (@waxpoetics) September 23, 2017
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, the great, Charles Bradley. Too young, too early. Rest in peace, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/NVCTt8TVeP
— Amoeba Music (@amoebamusic) September 23, 2017
This morning Charles Bradley passed away. Our condolences to his family & friends. Our timeless respect to him for the musical legacy. pic.twitter.com/4i2qn3y5jz
— Mello Music Group (@MelloMusicGroup) September 23, 2017
"This world
Is going up in flames
And nobody
Wanna take the blame"#CharlesBradley #RIP— Antibalas (@Antibalas) September 23, 2017
A real low today hearing about the passing of the incredible Charles Bradley. We shall forever remember the amazing shows we played together
— badbadnotgood IV 😉 (@badbadnotgood) September 23, 2017
No! RIP Charles Bradley. You were a beautiful man and an inspiration. I hope the song we were making gets to live in the world someday.
— Har Mar Superstar (@HarMarSuperstar) September 23, 2017
I've had the honor of being completely and utterly blown off stage by both of these sweethearts. RIP Charles Bradley.❤️We miss you, Sharon! pic.twitter.com/QUdCugUw3R
— Neko Case (@NekoCase) September 23, 2017
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