Just like any other year, 2025 saw some of our prominent Black figures in various fields of endeavors passing away. Though they may be gone, the legacies that they paved and left behind will forever remain and be remembered.
This list is in essence, a difficult one to make, but below are those prominent Black people we lost in 2025:
Kevin Arkadie
Writer and producer Kevin Arkadie passed away on December 17. Arkadie, 68, is remembered for his work on series including, The Shield and NYPD Blue, Entertainment Weekly reported. He also co-created the police drama series, New York Undercover.
Carl Carlton
On December 14, the son of Carl Carlton announced that the legendary funk and R&B singer had passed away at the age of 72. Carlton is remembered for his hit songs, She’s a Bad Mama Jama, and Everlasting Love.
Jubilant Sykes
Jubilant Sykes was a well-known baritone opera singer. The Grammy-nominated musician was stabbed and killed at his home in Santa Monica on December 8. Sykes was 71.
Donyelle Jones
Donyelle Jones, a former So You Think You Can Dance contestant and actress, passed away on December 2 at the age of 46. Jones’ death came after she battled breast cancer for many years.
In a statement, Jones’ family described her as “a wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend. And a warrior who kicked cancer’s ass every single day she was here…. Her spirit never dimmed. Her heart never hardened. And even in the storm, she never lost her smile.”
Jones starred in movies including Be Cool and Spirited.
Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff, one of the biggest names in reggae music, died on November 24 at the age of 81. His wife, Latifa Chambers, disclosed this on Instagram.
“It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia,” she wrote.“I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.
“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career.
“Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.”
Born James Chambers but known professionally as Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican singer, multi-instrumentalist and actor was the only living reggae musician to hold the Order of Merit, which may be conferred upon any citizen of Jamaica or distinguished citizen of a country other than Jamaica for achievements in the field of science, the arts, literature or any other endeavor.
He became an international star with The Harder They Come, which was written for the movie of the same name. The 1972 crime drama, which he starred in, is credited with bringing reggae to the world.
With over 30 albums, Cliff performed all over the world, including in Paris, in Brazil and at the World’s Fair in 1964. Cliff’s last studio album, Refugees, was released in 2022. Made with Wyclef Jean, the reggae legend said he wrote the title track “due to emotional feelings towards freedom taken away from human beings.”
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
Marshawn Kneeland
Former Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland passed away on November 6 following a police chase. Authorities stated that the 24-year-old succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, FOX 4 reported.
Floyd Roger Myers Jr.
Floyd Roger Myers Jr., a former child actor who briefly appeared in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air sitcom series, passed away in the early hours of October 29 at the age of 42.
Myers’ mother, Renee Trice, told TMZ that her son succumbed to a heart attack in his Maryland home. Trice said that was her son’s fourth heart attack in the span of three years. She also said that she and her son had spoken the night before his death.
Myers is remembered for playing a young Will Smith in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, with that being his first acting gig. He also appeared in the The Jacksons: An American Dream television series, playing the role of a young Marlon Jackson.
D’Angelo
Legendary singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer, D’Angelo, succumbed to cancer on October 14. He was 51.
D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, rose to superstardom in 1995 with his debut album, Brown Sugar. His second album, Voodoo, also cemented his place as one of the highly talented musicians of his generation.
Ike Turner Jr.
Ike Turner Jr., the son of music legends Tina Turner and Ike Turner Sr., died on October 4 at the age of 67.
Tina’s niece, Jacqueline Bullock, informed TMZ that Ike Jr. succumbed to kidney failure at a Los Angeles hospital. Bullock also stated that Ike Jr. struggled with heart problems for years, and his health had exacerbated prior to his death. He also had a stroke in September.
Ike Jr. was not Tina’s biological son, but she adopted him when he was young. He later became Tina’s sound engineer, though briefly, after she divorced from her ex-husband and his biological father, Ike Sr.
Ike Jr. was arrested for crack cocaine possession and tampering with evidence in June 2023, and he was in prison when Tina died.
Joshua Allen
So You Think You Can Dance winner Joshua Allen passed away on September 30. He was 36.
Rolling Ray
Popular influencer and content creator, Rolling Ray, succumbed to natural causes on September 3, his family told The Washington Post.
Ray, who was born Raymond Harper, had a huge following on Instagram, and he made multiple show appearances on Zeus Network. He is also credited with being the originator of “purr,” which is a known slang term.
Ray was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy during his childhood, and he was confined to a wheelchair for the majority of his life, TMZ reported. He also suffered several health issues, including pneumonia and a blood infection.
In 2021, he was hospitalized after he suffered serious burns when his wig caught fire as he attempted to light a cigarette, The Washington Post reported. He was also put into a medically induced coma in 2022 after he fell ill.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Actor and comedian Malcolm-Jamal Warner accidentally drowned after he was dragged by a water current at Playa Grande in Limon, Costa Rica, on July 20.
Warner, 54, underwent an autopsy, and his cause of death was ruled as accidental asphyxiation by submersion. Initial reports stated that he was vacationing in Costa Rica with his family at the time of the fatal accident.
Warner is fondly remembered for starring in The Cosby Show.
Ananda Lewis
Broadcast journalist Ananda Lewis passed away on June 11 after battling breast cancer for many years. She was 52.
Lewis’ broadcasting career saw her hosting shows including MTV’s Total Request Live and Teen Summit on BET.
In 2024, Lewis revealed that her breast cancer had reached stage 4 after initially refusing to remove the tumor, Face2Face Africa reported at the time.
George Foreman
George Foreman Sr., the legendary boxer and two-time heavyweight champion, passed away at the age of 76 on March 21.
His family announced that “Big George” died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, in a statement posted on his official Instagram page alongside a photo of Foreman with his children.
Angie Stone
Legendary soul singer Angie Stone died in a car accident on March 1 after a concert. She was 63.
Stone is remembered for her significant contributions to hip-hop and neo soul music. Stone and deceased singer D’Angelo share a son.
Voletta Wallace
Voletta Wallace, the mother of deceased rapper, The Notorious B.I.G., died on February 21 at the age of 72.
Reports indicate the retired schoolteacher and Jamaican native died of natural causes. She is said to have moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she and her husband, George Latore, welcomed their son, Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G. was gunned down in March 1997. Up until her death Voletta had been promoting her deceased son’s legacy.
Irv Gotti
Popular record producer and music executive, Irv Gotti, died on February 5 after he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 54.
Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., co-founded Murder Inc. Records. The record label, at its peak, signed rapper Ja Rule and singer Ashanti.
DJ Unk
DJ Unk, the Atlanta rapper fondly remembered for his 2006 hit song Walk It Out, died on January 24 after he suffered a heart attack while he was sleeping, his wife said. She also clarified her husband’s death was not drug-related, and he was not involved in drugs. He was 43.
DJ Unk, born Anthony Leonard Platt, entered the music and entertainment industry in the late 1990s. Together with DJ Montay and DJ Jelly, the trio formed Southern Style DJs before he eventually inked a deal with Big Oomp Records in 2000, TMZ reported.
DJ Unk’s career is said to have been impacted by some undisclosed health setbacks he suffered in 2009.
Other popular Black celebrities who passed away this year include Danielle Spencer, T-Hood, Dave Scott, Young Noble, and DJ Funk.
