Legendary singer, Betty Wright, dies of cancer at 66

Betty wright, iconic R&B singer, died after a hard battle with cancer at the age of 66.  The Grammy winner passed away on Sunday in her hometown Miami, Florida. The cause of the death was not immediately known but Wright’s niece confirmed the news as she took to twitter and commented, “Sleep in peace aunty Betty Wright. Fly high angel.”

The news came a week after singer-songwriter Chaka Khan tweeted, without mentioning the cause of ailment. “Calling all my #PrayWarriors | My beloved sister, Betty Wright, is now in need of all your prays. ‘Que Sera, Sera | Whatever Will Be, Will Be’ In Jesus Name We Pray for Sister Betty All My Love Chaka,” she wrote.

Wright was born in 1953, her real name was Bessie Regina Norris. She started singing as part of her siblings’ musical group called the ‘Echoes of Joy’, but she rose to fame in the 1970s.

Her first album ‘My First Time Around’ wasn’t released until two years later featuring the hit “Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do.”

The singer was a member of the gospel ensemble until they parted ways when she was 11, leading her to embrace R&B music.

Wright signed with the label Deep City Records in 1966, it later became a local hit with songs “Thank You Baby” and “Paralyzed”.

The biggest hit of her career “Clean Up Woman” came a year later, which was certified gold a few days after her 18th birthday.

Many stars from the entertainment industry expressed sorrow and paid tributes to the late star on social media.

Remembering the late star, singer John Legend took to Twitter and wrote: “I loved being around Ms. Betty Wright.”

“She was always so loving and giving to younger artists. Always engaged, always relevant. She will be missed,” the 41-year-old musician wrote.

Rapper Snoop Dogg also shared a video of the late singer on Instagram where she is seen performing one of her hits ‘Tonight Is the Night.’

Taking it to the captions, the rapper wrote: “Thank u for bringing me to thankful Thursday’s at your house in Florida years ago for the fellowship mentoring and prayers and blessings u shared with me.I know God is pleased with your work. Tonight is the night u get to heavens. Gates. Long live. Betty Wright,” added the 48-year-old rapper.

American DJ D-Nice also posted a beautiful solo picture of the late musician on instagram.

“This has been an emotional weekend. Rest peacefully, Betty Wright,” he captioned the post.

Wright released solo music throughout her life. She has collaborated and influenced with multiple hip-hop stars. Her 2011 album Betty Wright: the Movie was made with hip-hop group the Roots, while her most recent album, 2014’s Living, Love, Lies, featured rapper Rick Ross and rap producer DJ Khaled. She appeared alongside rappers Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean on a 2016 DJ Khaled track, Holy Key.

Wright was celebrated worldwide because of her soulful character and mesmerizing songs, her demise is a massive loss to the western music industry.