Nelson Mandela: The music world reacts
As Quincy Jones said in an emotional statement released on Thursday, “Today, as it did while he inhabited our planet, Nelson Mandela’s spirit truly soars with the angels.”
Jones was just one of many in the music world who paid tribute to Mandela, who died on Thursday at 95. In a sweeping essay for Time, U2’s Bono hailed the former South African president’s influence, writing: “As an activist I have pretty much been doing what Nelson Mandela tells me since I was a teenager.”
Most musicians flocked to social media to offer tributes. Some posted pictures of the time they met Mandela, while others posted one of his countless influential quotes. In another statement, Roger Waters wrote: “Like most of us, I was never lucky enough to meet the great man, but today I feel I lost a true friend, because like Gandhi and Dr. King, Nelson Mandela was a true friend to all of us.”
FULL COVERAGE: Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Beyonce took to her Instagram to post a picture of Mandela embracing her at a 2003 concert that he hosted to raise awareness of the spread of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, and she thanked him “for all you have sacrificed to improve the lives of other human beings.”
As South African countrymen Ladysmith Black Mambazo wrote on Thursday: “If we all keep Mandela’s way within us, we can achieve greatness.” Here’s a sampling of what was said elsewhere in the music world:
Advising all my young ones that follow me to research a small piece of Nelson Mandela Life. That’s how you pay your respect...... GO!— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela showed and acted out in front of the world what the true meaning of “fight for what you… https://t.co/sIXngtDWrD— JESSIE J (@JessieJ) December 5, 2013
Free Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela Is Free. #Respect— Questlove Jenkins (@questlove) December 5, 2013
So much was Done, so much was Earned I can and will always look up to a King like you! Inspired all of… https://t.co/1kMReW7xun— THE-DREAM (@TheKingDream) December 5, 2013
I knew this day was coming but it doesn’t make it any easier......RIP my hero Madiba and thank you for your contribution to us all ¿¿¿¿¿¿— Elle Veezy (@ellevarner) December 5, 2013
R.I.P Nelson Mandela...I’m in Cape Town right now..u can feel his absence in the air..— Robert Glasper (@robertglasper) December 5, 2013
1 of the most important&greatest individuals to walk on this Earth. Nelson Mandela. He walked the walk. He was 4 THE PEOPLE. Nelson Mandela.— Janelle Monae (@JanelleMonae) December 5, 2013
Honored that I had a chance to meet this amazing influential being & to participate in his 46664 Aids… https://t.co/Uz2afj0C6O— Ludacris (@Ludacris) December 5, 2013
RIP 2 ONE OF OUR LAST TRULY GREAT KINGS AND GOD OF OUR UNIVERSE, THE LATE GREAT NELSON MANDELA!!! I WILL 4EVER LOVE U GREAT MAN & GREAT MIND— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) December 5, 2013
Nelson Mandela rest in heavenly peace. Thank you for showing us what unyielding courage determination redemption & grace looks like. Amandla— Dianne Reeves (@DianneReeves1) December 5, 2013
What a heroic, beautiful life Mandela lived. Rest in peace.— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 5, 2013
Mandela was a warrior and an inspiration #RIP— Black Thought (@blackthought) December 5, 2013
One of the greatest men who’s ever lived!!! #Legend We will never forget the things this man has… https://t.co/ztPkooNOIN— Rihanna (@rihanna) December 5, 2013
IN MEMORY OF NELSON MANDELA • 1918-2013 • HE CHANGED OUR WORLD pic.twitter.com/TV0laPcxso— Apollo Theater (@ApolloTheater) December 5, 2013
God bless Nelson Mandela peace and love R***— Ringo Starr (@ringostarrmusic) December 5, 2013
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. You will be missed. #trueinspiration #peoplewhochangetheworld— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) December 5, 2013
Condolences to Nelson Mandela’s family. May his life remind us all to forgive our own trespasses and those who’ve trespassed against us.— Clint Black (@Clint_Black) December 5, 2013
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