Songwriter, Producer Lashawn Daniels Dead at 41
Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer, and producer Lashawn Daniels has reportedly died at the age of 41, as the Independent reports.
The cause of death is currently unknown. However, the news of Daniels’ passing has led to an outpouring of sadness and grief from the songwriter’s peers, collaborators, fans, and friends.
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 19: April Daniels and LaShawn Daniels attends the 2019 Bounce Trumpet Awards on January 19, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Many have taken to social media to mourn the producer who is best known for his collaborations with fellow producer Darkchild. Daniels is credited for helping pen a myriad of R&B and pop classics including Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine,” “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and Beyonce, Toni Braxton’s “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” Destiny’s Child’s “Lose My Breath,” “If You Had My Love” by Jennifer Lopez, and “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” by Whitney Houston.
Daniels also worked on songs by Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Spice Girls, Tamar Braxton, George Michael, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson. In 2000, Lashawn Daniels won a Grammy for his songwriting on Destiny’s Child’s hit single “Say My Name.” In 2013, the songwriter was also nominated for a Grammy for his work on Tamar Braxton’s song “Love and War.”
The songwriter and producer was also previously a regular on the reality TV series Braxton Family Values and Tamar & Vince, appearing alongside his wife April Daniels. Last week, Daniels attended the 2019 BMI Awards in Atlanta and took to Instagram to share photos from the event.
In addition to penning hits for countless artists, Daniels also released music himself underneath his given name and his stage name “Big Shiz.”
Many of Daniels’ collaborators, friends, fans, and peers took to social media to express their sadness for the beloved songwriter, including Kehlani, Dawn Richard, and DeVon Franklin.
https://twitter.com/Kehlani/status/1169119411908706304
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
So sad...I was just with him last weekend 😥😥😥RT @trapcry: Rest In Peace to LaShawn Daniels @BIGSHIZ. He’s responsible for so many great moments in music. 😢🙏🏾. A legend. https://t.co/zrZDZ3h9DL
— DeVon Franklin (@DeVonFranklin) September 4, 2019
RIP Lashawn Daniels! Met him during my time with @WEtv and he was always POSITIVE ENERGY! Sending ❤️ to his wife & family
— Dr. Ray Cunningham (@MissterRay) September 4, 2019
Lashawn Daniels gifted us pure classics over the years!!
— Netta (@NettaBrielle) September 4, 2019
Rest easy, legend.
Wow... Rest In Peace @BIGSHIZ 🙏🏽 Great guy man smh... 🤦🏽♂️
— chris landry (@RealChrisLandry) September 4, 2019
Man, @BIGSHIZ was truly one of my first musical heroes. Really looked up to him and loved the music he had a hand in, sad we didnt get to spend more time together. Rest easy brother. 🙏🏻
— JHart (@JHartMusic) September 4, 2019
#LashawnDaniels rest easy bro, your gift of music has changed the world but most importantly my life, you will forever be one of the Musical 🐐’s on the 🖊 gone but never forgotten!! 🙏🏽🕊 @BIGSHIZ
— ElijahConnor (@ElijahConnor) September 4, 2019
This is a developing story.
Update- 3:11 pm ET (9/4/2019)- On Wednesday (Sept. 4), Daniel’s wife, April took to Instagram to officially announce her husband’s death and issue a statement.
April shared a statement that read, “It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, family member and friend Lashawn Daniels, who was the victim of a fatal car accident in South Carolina. A Grammy-award winning producer and songwriter, Daniels was a man of extraordinary faith and a pillar in our family. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the continuous outpouring of love and sympathy. We ask that you respect the privacy of our entire family during this difficult time.”
“With Love, from The Family! In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lashawn Daniels Memorial Fund on PayPal at LashawnDanielsMemorial@gmail.com,” April wrote in the caption of her post.
Celebrities such as Towanda Braxton, Rocsci Diaz, Shaunie O’neal, Jennifer Williams, and MC Lyte among others left heartfelt comments underneath April’s post.
“I am sooooo incredibly sorry my dear sister. Holding you in prayer, ” MC Lyte commented.
“Love you April, prayers for you and your family,” Basketball Wives star Jennifer Williams wrote.
“Praying for you and your family,” Shaunie O’Neal wrote. “With you April. Love you sis. I’m so so sorry,” Diaz wrote.
Towanda Braxton left four kisses and heart emojis underneath the post.
