Jazz Icon Roy Ayers, Revered by Hip-Hop, Dies at 84

The vibraphonist and composer, whose work shaped neo-soul and inspired generations of hip-hop artists, passed away in New York after a long illness.

Roy Ayers, known as the 'Godfather of Neo-Soul,' passed away on March 4, 2025, at the age of 84, after a long illness, his family confirmed.
Ayers' music, including the iconic track 'Everybody Loves the Sunshine,' has been sampled over 960 times by artists like Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and A Tribe Called Quest.
He was a pioneer in bridging jazz, funk, and hip-hop, collaborating with artists such as Tyler, the Creator, Talib Kweli, and The Roots throughout his six-decade career.
Born in Los Angeles, Ayers began playing the vibraphone as a teenager and went on to lead Roy Ayers Ubiquity, contributing to the acid jazz movement of the 1970s.
Tributes from major figures in music, including Questlove, Pete Rock, and DJ Premier, celebrate Ayers' enduring impact on modern music and his collaborative spirit.