Hip-hop pioneer Blondy of The Sequence dead at 67
Blondy of pioneering hip-hop group The Sequence has died at the age of 67.
The rapper (real name Gwendolyn Chisolm) from Columbia, South Carolina, reportedly passed away on April 7th.
Fellow Sequence member Cheryl the Pearl took to Facebook to announce her death.
“TODAY I’M HURTING BECAUSE MY SISTER BLONDY HAS PASSED,” she wrote. “I’M GOING TO MISS YOU AND ANGIE. AM SO IN SHOCK. JUST TALK TO YOU. LOVE BOTH OF YOU. UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN. R.I.P. I’M GOING TO MISS YOU QUEEN BLONDY FROM THE GROUP THE SEQUENCE R.I.P.”
Formed in 1979, The Sequence, consisting of Blondy, Angie B, and Cheryl the Pearl, are known as the first all-female hip-hop group.
They’re best known for their hit single ‘Funk You Up’, which reached number 15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Their debut album Sugar Hill Presents The Sequence was released in 1980, becoming the first hip-hop record by an all-female act to be released on vinyl. They have since sold over a million copies worldwide.
The Furious Five paid tribute to Blondy, writing on social media, “Ooohhh my goodness! So, sorry to hear! Our deepest condolences to you truly & to the family of Blondy. Forever Iconic Pioneer of The Sequence. May Blondy Rest in Love & Peace.”
Cheryl the Pearl is now the only living member of the group after Angie B, better known as Angie Stone, died in March 2025.
Stone died in a car crash at the age of 63 following a show in Mobile, Alabama. In a statement at the time, her family said, “It is with heavy hearts that the children of the R&B singer Angie Stone, along with her extended family, want to thank you all for your love and well wishes during what is an extremely difficult time.”