Gwendolyn “Blondy” Chisolm, a co-founding member of ground-breaking female trio The Sequence, has passed. She was 66.
Chisolm died on Monday, April 6, in Atlanta following a brief statement. Her family told Billboard in an official statement.
“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,” Monica Scott, Chisolm’s sister, told Billboard in a statement.”She was a creative force who touched countless hearts.”
Scott went on to describe Chisolm as “the star of our family.”
“We’re heartbroken right now.”
“But we take comfort in knowing that her beautiful spirit lives on through the songs she shared with the world,” Scott added. “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.”
Along with Cheryl “The Pearl” Cook and Angela “Angie B” Brown (a.k.a. Chisolm co-founded The Sequence in 1979.
“Funk You Up,” the group’s signature song, was released that same year and was the first rap record by an all-female group. They were also the first Southern rap group to record mainstream music. The track would be sampled by numerous artists, including Dr. Dre, En Vogue, Erykah Badu, and Bruno Mars. “Funk You Up” also became a top-20 hit on the Billboard R&B chart.
Additionally, The Sequence sang backup on Spoonie Gee’s 1980 single “Monster Jam,” on Sugar Hill Records.
The group released three albums: The Sugarhill presents The Sequence in 1980, The Sequence in 1982, and The Sequence Party in 1983.
Following a royalty dispute with Sylvia Robinson,owner of Sugar Hill Records, they broke up in 1985.
Over the years, they reunited on a few occasions.
Stone died in a car accident in March 2025.
According to Billboard, “Chisolm worked with Tyler Perry to plan Stone’s funeral.”