Grammy-nominated R&B singer Gerald Levert has died aged 40.
Gerald, who was the son of O'Jays vocalist Eddie Levert, shot to fame with the R&B trio
LeVert.
He went on to fine solo success, working with soul greats like Anita Baker, Barry White (Gerald received a Grammy nomination for writing his 'Practice What You Preach' track in 1994) and Patti LaBelle.
"Nobody was prepared for this," LaBelle said. "It's not for real to me that he is gone."
She added Gerald was "like a son" to her, and she hopes to perform at his funeral.
Gerald’s record label, Atlantic said: "He was one of the greatest voices of our time, who sang with unmatched soulfulness and power" in a statement.
"It's very sad," his friend, R&B singer Will Downing says. "Gerald was a hard worker. He would touch the people, and that's really what it's all about."
Levert's family, including his four children, released a statement asking for privacy "at this very difficult time".
