There are lots of things to attributed to the iconic singer, Betty Wright, who just passed away on Sunday, aged 66. The Grammy-winning singer is praised for her voice and coaching younger talent, as well as being referred to as music royalty!
S-Curve Records President Steve Greenberg told The New York Times that Betty Wright was diagnosed with endometrial cancer as her family confirmed her death.
Among several hits by Wright, she made a hit in 1972 with “Clean Up Woman,” which later was showcased by Mary J. Blige in her track “Real Love” and also by other artists like Chance The Rapper.
Elsewhere in her works are “Tonight Is the Night” and “No Pain, (No Gain)” as her other popular hits. Betty Wright was recognized with a Grammy award as a songwriter in 1975 for “Where Is The Love” in the category of Best R&B song.
As years rolled by, Wright was seen as a voice trainer on MTV’s reality series “Making the Band.” She also created her own record label “Ms. B Records” in 1985, becoming the first woman to have a gold record on her label.
In reactions to the news of her death, many artists took to social media to pay tribute to the legendary singer and songwriter. Among those were John Legend, who tweeted, “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.”
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 https://t.co/JGefXj5jgx
— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 10, 2020
Ledisi also recounted the later singer’s legacies in the music industry as both a mentor and artist. “Thank you for being a master teacher, a friend, and one of the greatest female soul singers in our industry,” she wrote. “You were so much more than your music. We were blessed to be around royalty. Thank you. I will never forget.”
Thank you for being a master teacher, a friend and one of the greatest female soul singers in our industry. You were so much more than your music. We were blessed to be around royalty. Thank you. I will never forget. 👑 #BettyWright ! pic.twitter.com/CHQL1S5FRy
— ledisi (@ledisi) May 10, 2020
Betty Wright’s colleague at MTV’s “Making The Band” series, Dawn Richards, also sent out a message to the later singer.
“Betty Wright or Ms. B to us was the funniest, realest, kindest spirit. She was one of our vocal trainers during the beginnings of DK,” he wrote. “I loved that she was unafraid to add grit to any lyric. She helped us emote and find our voices as women in the industry. Thank you, Ms. B. RIP.”
Betty Wright or Ms. B to us was the funniest, realest, kindest spirit. She was one of our vocal trainers during the beginnings of DK. I loved that she was unafraid to add grit to any lyric. she helped us emote and find our voices as women in the industry. Thank you Ms. B. RIP.
— DAWN (@DawnRichard) May 10, 2020
