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R&B Crooner Amy Winehouse "Kicks the Bucket"


Special Correspondent @rickyrozay put it best: "Wanted to collab w/ Amy Winehouse... R.I.P. - Smoking 1 in your memoryyy!!"
The Internet, music industry Twitter, and myself were [personally] saddened to learn that British R&B Songstress, Amy Winehouse passed away today @ the tender age of 27; Not unlike fellow Forever 27 Club "inductees" Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones (Rolling Stones), and Janis Joplin.
Jewish-raised Amy Jade Winehouse burst onto the scene in 2006 with the release of her sophomore album, Back to Black. Its Salaam Remi-produced predecessor (Frank) was released 4 years earlier and garnered much critical success, but essentially "flew under the radar." Back to Black, which was jointly produced by Remi and DJ Mark Ronson, ushered in a throwback Doo-Wop lending sound with help from The Dap-Kings. The complete album would go on to win 5 Grammys and rack up some 10 million+ units sold.


While everyone's familiar with instant Winehouse hits like: "Rehab," "You Know I'm No Good," "Valerie," "Back to Black," "Cupid," and "Love Is a Losing Game" - Her eventual mass success was often marred by drug addictions, alcohol woes, domestic disputes, cancelled tour dates, brawls, breakouts, and countless arrests, as well as various health/medical issues. During her short career, Winehouse paved the way for like-minded alternative artists like, Adele, Duffy, "El Michels Affair" (Dap-Kings), Janelle Monáe, Mayer Hawthorne, Florence + The Machine, Bruno Mars, La Roux, and even [seemingly] influencing Christina Aguliera.
Prior to the event of her untimely death, Winehouse successfully completed a rehab stint and was reportedly hard @ work on "Album #3". New collaborators included/were set to include but not limited to: ?uestlove, D'Angelo, Tony Bennett, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadig... and of course, Ronson/Remi. Amy Winehouse's last active release was a cover of Lesley Gore's 1963 hit, "It's My Party" - Produced by friend Mark Ronson and featured on Quincy Jones' compilation album, Q: Soul Bossa Nostra.

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