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LaShawn Daniels, who is credited with penning some of Whitney Houston and Destiny’s Child’s biggest hits, has died aged 41.
The Grammy Award winning songwriter died on Tuesday, after reportedly succumbing to injuries suffered in a car accident.
Daniels was responsible for some of the biggest pop tunes of recent times, writing Say My Name for Destiny’s Child, as well as penning Whitney Houston’s its Not Right but It’s OK and Michael Jackson’s You Rock My World.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Daniels’ wife April announced the sad news about her husband’s death.
She wrote: “It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, family member and friend, LaShawn Daniels who was the victim of a fatal car accident in South Carolina.
“A Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter, Daniels was a man of extraordinary faith and a pillar in our family.”
Daniels was known ‘Big Shiz’ in the music industry and was responsible for forming the sound of early 2000s R&B and pop.
Speaking about his working relationship with Whitney Houston, Daniels said in an interview last year: “We would talk about relationships and she loved talking about real situations.
“She didn’t want to sing about anything that was fake, Whitney always wanted to keep it real.
“I think that’s another thing that made her special and people relate to her. It would start from a conversation and we’d go from there.”
Many musicians from across the industry shared their thoughts and condolences on social media after hearing the news.
Renowned Gospel singer, Kirk Franklin, tweeted: “The entire music community is feeling the loss of one of the greatest to ever do it. LaShawn Daniels we just stood together a week ago. No words.”
