Gospel Music Community Responds to the Death of Songwriter LaShawn Daniels

Songwriter and producer for pop megastars like Whitney Houston and Beyoncé, LaShawn Daniels has died on Tuesday (September 3) in a car accident in Catawba, S.C. He was 41. 

His wife April broke the sad news that her husband died in a car accident on Tuesday in South Carolina. Her statement 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."

Daniels, who was known in the music industry by the nickname Big Shiz, often worked with the producer Rodney Jerkins. They collaborated (along with other writers) on "Say My Name" for "The Writing's on the Wall," the sophomore album by the R&B group Destiny's Child, which at the time consisted of LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson, Kelly Rowland and Beyoncé, then billed as Beyoncé Knowles. 

Other artists Daniels had worked with includes composer Michael Jackson ("You Rock My World"); Lady Gaga ("Telephone" which featured Beyoncé); Jennifer Lopez ("If You Had My Love"); and Whitney Houston ("It's Not Right But It's Okay"), among many other artists. 

The Gospel music community expresses their prayers and condolences:

Travis Greene:

Nothing but good memories. Love u and miss u already dude. Can't wait to laugh again in heaven. #Remembering #bigshiz

Tasha Cobbs Leonard:

We entertain angels unaware." No words. You were a gift to us all. Praying continuously for April and the family. #Repost @kennethleonardjr .... Speechless...Miss u already. We all are still trying to process this....... 

Kirk Franklin:

"I'm not gonna even try to tie a spiritual ribbon around this one...this needs to hurt for a while. We took this pic just a WEEK ago! The kind soul in it is LaShawn Daniels, and his beautiful family... Yesterday, they tragically lost their patriarch, their light, their hero. Not only did we lose one of the greatest writers in the industry, we lost one of the most loyal, funniest, kindest brothers the world has ever seen. Life is not only short, God is not always clear, or appear to be fair. Respectfully, I know the scriptures... just let it hurt for a while."

Tauren Wells:

Shocked and saddened by the news of the loss of @bigshiz. We only got to spend a little time together but no one could get you hype in the booth like this man! Praying for the Daniels family. 

Janice Gaines:

I keep waiting to say anything until I have the words, but I realize I may not ever. Music brought our families together, but we became family nonetheless. I'm so sad, and I don't want to have to wait until Heaven to hear your loud laugh or sit around the table eating whatever yumminess April has made while we all just talk and laugh about any and everything. I never wanted that to change. There's no getting around the sadness and the tears. Grateful to call you my brother, and grateful that I'll see you in Heaven after while. Desperately sad, though. Even so, come Lord Jesus. #BigShiz #LashawnDaniels 

 

Tags : lashawn daniels lashawn daniels death lashawn daniels funeral Whitney Houston Beyonce destinys child Kirk Franklin travis greene tasha leonards cobbs janice gaines tauren wells