Legendary funk, soul and jazz musician Bernard Wright has reportedly died. Guitarist and former Jamaica Boys bandleader Billy “Spaceman” Patterson confirmed he passed away on Thursday (May 19), although no cause of death has been disclosed.
“On behalf of the family of Bernard Wright (Nard), we are saddened to announce that yesterday Bernard has been called home to the Most High,” Patterson wrote. “Many thanks for everyone’s support, encouragement, and prayers for Nard throughout the years. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. Our hearts are heavy and our faith is strong. To be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord! LOVE! Rest In Power, Nard.”
Wright, who is perhaps best known for his 1981 album ‘Nard, has been sampled by numerous Hip Hop artists over the years, including 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Kamaiyah, Skee-Lo, Dr. Dre and LL COOL J.
For Skee-Lo’s hit song, 1995’s “I Wish,” he sampled Wright’s 1981 single “Spinnin” from the Nard album, while Snoop Dogg borrowed from the Nard track “Haboglabotribin'” for “Gz & Hustlas” from his 1993 debut Doggystyle as did 2Pac for “Lie To Kick It.”
Pioneering Rap Group Whodini Loses Member Ecstasy — Here's How Their Music Will Live Forever
The list goes on and on, carrying Wright’s legacy beyond just jazz, soul and funk. Wright’s final solo album, Brand New Gospel Format, arrived in 1993. Prior to that, he released two other R&B albums — Fresh Hymns and Fresh Hymns II — in the ’90 before moving to Texas and becoming a jazz and R&B session musician for Miles Davis, Marcus Miller and Cameo.
HipHopDX sends our condolences to all of Wright’s family and friends. Check out some of Wright’s sampled work below.
RIP
RIP
Damn I was just bumping “Who do you love” which is my favorite from him. Great artist will truly be missed.
Bernard Wright’s talent will be sorely missed. His music will live on. May he Rest Well!!
When you listen to the various soul songs that have been sampled by rappers, you realize there was some truly great music made that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
Rap music took a lot of this dudes legacy and shine. Would rather hear a brother like bernard grow and develop over time than hear rappers loop his work. That’s why it’s hard to get too worked up over todays rap scene when you see the 80s and 90s rappers put funk and jazz out of business except for the most watered down versions . RIP
White labels pushed white jazz musicians over black…. that is why the genre is dying. Thankfully we still got Terence Blanchard and Kamasi Washington