Gwendolyn “Blondy” Chisolm, a pioneering force in hip-hop and cofounder of the groundbreaking female trio The Sequence, has died at the age of 66. According to family members, the rapper, singer, and songwriter passed away following a brief illness on April 6 in Atlanta. Chisolm rose to prominence alongside Cheryl “The Pearl” Cook and the late Angela Brown (known as Angie Stone), helping to carve out a space for women in a genre still in its infancy. In a statement, her sister Monica Scott described her as “a creative force who touched countless hearts,” adding that her music continues to bring joy to millions.

As part of The Sequence, Chisolm helped make history as one of the first female hip-hop acts and the first signed to Sugar Hill Records. The group’s 1979 hit "Funk You Up" became a defining moment for early hip-hop, earning Gold certification and peaking at No. 15 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The track’s influence has endured for decades, sampled and re-imagined by artists such as Dr. Dre, En Vogue, Erykah Badu, and Katy Perry. Discovered after an impromptu audition for label founder Sylvia Robinson, the trio went on to release multiple albums and chart additional singles before disbanding in 1985.

Beyond her work with The Sequence, Chisolm remained active in music and mentorship, collaborating with artists, producing shows, and speaking to students about the industry’s evolution. She also worked closely with Tyler Perry to help arrange memorial services for Stone following her death in 2025. At the time of her passing, Chisolm was completing her memoir and partnering with the National Museum of African American Music on an exhibit honoring The Sequence’s legacy. A private memorial service is planned, as loved ones and fans continue to celebrate a life that helped shape the sound and spirit of hip-hop’s early days.