Gwendolyn 'Blondy' Chisolm, a co-founding member of The Sequence, has sadly passed away at the age of 66. Her family provided a statement to Billboard following her death.
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"My sister gave a lot of herself to the music industry. Everyone knows her famous lyrics and melodies, which continue to bring joy to millions of people," Chisolm's sister Monica Scott said in a statement on behalf of the family. "She was a creative force who touched countless hearts."
Monica's statement continued by sharing the family's grief, while remembering her talent.
"We're heartbroken right now," the statement continued. "But we take comfort in knowing that her beautiful spirit lives on through the songs she shared with the world. We hope the world will remember her as a passionate artist and a voice for a generation. You can honor her memory by turning up her music."
The Sequence was among the first female Hip Hop acts. They were an active group between 1979 and 1985. Their music has been sampled by multiple notable artists and is still used as inspiration today, from new and veteran musicians alike.
Throughout their six-year span of activity, the group released three studio albums. The first came in 1980, titled "Sugarhill Presents The Sequence." The second, released in 1982, was titled "The Sequence." And their third and final studio release came in 1983, under the name "The Sequence Party."
Gwendolyn Chisolm Continued To Work in the Music Industry
Despite The Sequence splitting up in 1985, Chisolm continued working in the music industry in the decades that ensued. According to the press release received by Billboard, Chisolm worked as booker, producer, writer and recording artist throughout the remainder of her career.
Chisolm even released a single in 2011, titled "On Our Way To The Movies," which featured Sequence's Cook. Furthermore, Billboard reports that Chisolm also spent time speaking with students at HBCUs regarding the influence of Hip Hop and the overall music business.
"Having earlier relocated from Charlotte, N.C., to Atlanta, Chisolm spent time speaking to students at HBCUs about hip-hop's influence and the music business," Billboard wrote. "At the time of her death, she was completing her memoir and collaborating with Nashville's National Museum of African American Music to present a permanent exhibit spotlighting The Sequence's iconic legacy."
Chisolm's funeral service will be held at a future date and will remain private for family and close friends.
