Grammy-winning songwriter Lashawn Daniels died Tuesday at age 41 from injuries sustained in a car accident. According to a statement provided by publicist JoJo Pada — and posted by the songwriter’s wife, April — Daniels was “the victim of a fatal car accident in South Carolina.”
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At press time, no further information on the circumstances of the accident were available.
“It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, family member and friend Lashawn Daniels,” reads the statement. “A Grammy-winning producer and songwriter, Daniels was a man of extraordinary faith and a pillar in our family.”
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Lashwan Daniels Memorial Fund on PayPal here.
Born in New Jersey on Dec. 28, 1977, Daniels is credited with writing a string of high-profile hits for Whitney Houston (“It’s Not Right [But It’s Okay]”), Michael Jackson (“You Rock My World”) and Lady Gaga and Beyoncé (“Telephone”). He had a close working relationship with producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and is credited with helping to shape the shifting sound of R&B in the late 1990s and early 2000s, winning a Grammy in 2001 for helping to write the signature Destiny’s Child hit “Say My Name” and earning two Grammy nominations in 1998 for one of his most beloved tracks, the Brandy and Monica duet “The Boy Is Mine.”
In a Grammy.com article celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Say My Name,” Daniels revealed the story behind the song, describing the relationship that inspired it. “I would be places, I would be at work, and if [my girlfriend] would call or hear anyone laughing, or speaking, or doing anything in the background, she’d be like, ‘Who is that?'” he said about his “insecure” ex. “Then she’d be like, ‘Well, say my name then, and tell me that you love me.’ [The song] was actually the premise of what I would go through, and we had the conversation of ‘how embarrassing is that?’ Beyoncé was in a relationship at that time, and she could relate well to the situation.”
Daniels said that Jerkins built the “perfect marriage” of instrumentation and lyricism on “Say My Name,” while DC were just as hands-on in shaping the song’s theme. “As time went forward, their creative input was undeniable,” he said. “If you came up with a melody or something, and it just didn’t sit well with them, or if they didn’t think it was dope, their creativity would absolutely speak back. We always had a respect of each other’s creativity. There were no egos to stop any idea from making it out of any of our mouths.”
He and wife April appeared on the 2012 WE reality series Tamar & Vince about their friends Tamar Braxton and her then-husband Vincent Herbert. Daniels released his solo debut in 2018, The Big Shiz Project.
The songwriter’s peers, including Kirk Franklin, Mario, Kehlani and Dawn Richard, took to social media to mourn his death.
we was supposed go crazy next week… appreciate you for fuckin wit me OG.. your legacy will never be forgotten! this shit crazy! RIP Lashawn Daniels —
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) September 4, 2019
RIP LaShawn Daniels, who wrote literally every perfect pop song pic.twitter.com/ENTEAoe0s3
— ryan (@ryanhemsworth) September 4, 2019
LaShawn Daniels is a legend. Thank you for creating some of the most powerful songs ever. Rest in Heaven KING.
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) September 4, 2019
I’m sorry…. I can’t let this LaShawn Daniels loss go yet…. just let heaven be real…..——
— Kirk Franklin (@kirkfranklin) September 4, 2019
The entire music community is feeling the loss of one of the greatest to ever do it….. LaShawnDaniels…we just stood together a week ago. No words……
— Kirk Franklin (@kirkfranklin) September 4, 2019
Lashawn Daniels changed my life and if I changed your life he changed yours too.
— James Fauntleroy (@fauntleroy) September 4, 2019
Damn! Losing too many greats. LaShawn wrote some of the greatest hits in history. And, for almost every artist I’ve worked with, from Gaga to MJ! I remember debuting ‘You Rock My World’ at MJ’s 30th aniv. concert at the Garden in 2001. Epic! RIP — M~ #LaShawnDaniels https://t.co/gxltIm94vu
— michael bearden (@MichaelBearden) September 4, 2019
We were just laughing last Weds & Thursday …we were just joking around in texts. We’d planned to hang out in Charlotte when I came home for the Holidays. I AM SHOCKED and SHOOK, Lashawn Daniels @bigshiz one of the kindest most talented creatives WOW WOW WOW — — R.I.H. Bruh! pic.twitter.com/HOeCN3MOMR
— Donald Lawrence (@DonaldLawrence) September 4, 2019
RIP to Lashawn Daniels 🙁 he’s only co written/vocal produced literally all of our favourite records – this is so sad —
— MNEK (@MNEK) September 4, 2019
Yooooo I’m lost. Lashawn Daniels died?!!!! I’m stuck. This man took my vocal ability to new levels while working in Dirty Money. One of the funniest people with the best heart. A rare talent and a beautiful soul.
— DAWN (@DawnRichard) September 4, 2019
LaShawn Daniels I cant believe you are gone. My heart is so broke right now. I was so looking forward to you working with me on my new project with RJ.. I’m trying to understand this…. Wow #lashawndaniels https://t.co/seEuhMvFPr
— Hezekiah Walker (@HezekiahWalker) September 4, 2019
In this Industry we all know how hard it is to come across talented & genuine people. Lashawn you were one of them homie! Wish we had more words but it was always love??Sending prayers out to your wife and kids. This is tragic but your legacy & spirit will live on —- @BIGSHIZ pic.twitter.com/3BaHldF46L
— Mario (@OHYESMARIO) September 4, 2019
Watch “The Boy Is Mine” video below.