Director John Singleton has died following a stroke on 17 April. He was 51 years old.
The American director was best known for directing the 1991 crime drama Boyz n the Hood, which saw him become the first African American person nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. The film featured Ice Cube, who, in an online tribute, has described Singleton as a master filmmaker.
“He not only made me a movie star but made me a filmmaker. There are no words to express how sad I am to lose my brother, friend & mentor. He loved bring the black experience to the world,” Ice Cube said.
I was discovered by a master filmmaker by the name of John Singleton. He not only made me a movie star but made me a filmmaker. There are no words to express how sad I am to lose my brother, friend & mentor. He loved bring the black experience to the world. ..Us at Cannes ‘90 pic.twitter.com/CaRKjZtjgB
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 29, 2019
Artists, actors and collaborators have paid their condolences to the director online. Read them below.
Rest up John Singleton. We never met, but Remember The Time literally changed my life. Thank you so much. God Bless you
— Chance The Rapper Owbum 📅 (@chancetherapper) April 29, 2019
Mourning the loss of a collaborator & True Friend John Singleton. He blazed the trail for many young film makers, always remaining true to who he was & where he came from!!! RIP Brother. Gone Way Too Soon!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 29, 2019
John Singleton was one of my big brothers in this fraternity of the entertainment industry. Gave me guidance, believed in me, and when it came to film he saw greater potential in me that… https://t.co/oX6bWtlNg1
— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) April 30, 2019
“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.” Maya Angelou. We celebrate #JohnSingleton‘s life and works he created by using the human voice and his vision to impact and challenge our human family. Rest in power. pic.twitter.com/Xq4e7okYjJ
— Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) April 30, 2019
Stars in the universe that burn the brightest, live shorter lives than others. And with their high-energy light, they transform all that basks in their luminosity. Farewell John Singleton (1968-2019).
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) April 29, 2019