“Sly was a giant” - Questlove and more celebs pay tribute to Sly Stone

Sly Stone passed away at the age of 82 on June 9, 2025. His family confirmed this sad news, stating that he was surrounded by his children and loved ones during his final moments.

Celebrities are mourning and paying heartfelt tributes to honor the legendary Sly and the Family Stone frontman's legacy. Questlove, the director of Sly Lives!, dedicated a moving Instagram post to Stone.

The drummer shared his appreciation, expressing,

"Sly was a giant"

He wrote in his post,

"Sly Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, left this earth today, but the changes he sparked while here will echo forever. From the moment his music reached me in the early 1970s, it became a part of my soul."

A look at Questlove honoring Sly Stone

According to Rolling Stone, Questlove collaborated with Sly Stone to write a book about him and directed two documentaries. Showcasing how Stone focused on "inclusivity and deep human truths," he further penned,

"Sly was a giant — not just for his groundbreaking work with the Family Stone, but for the radical inclusivity and deep human truths he poured into every note. His songs weren’t just about fighting injustice; they were about transforming the self to transform the world."

He also reflected on Sly's zeal to present the realest slices of life, adding,

"He dared to be simple in the most complex ways — using childlike joy, wordless cries, and nursery rhyme cadences to express adult truths. His work looked straight at the brightest and darkest parts of life and demanded we do the same."

During his homage to Sly, Questlove discussed the singer's battle with addiction and how those habits caused the legend to disappear "from the spotlight." Although he was affected,

"he lived long enough to outlast many of his disciples, to feel the ripples of his genius return through hip-hop samples, documentaries, and his memoir. Still, none of that replaces the raw beauty of his original work," the drummer explained.

The Roots band member also accepted how sentences "haunt" him. Revealing those lines in his lengthy post, he chimed in in the caption,

"As I reflect on his legacy, two lines haunt me: 'We deserve everything we get in this life' — a line from the Sly Lives! documentary that feels like both a warning and a manifestation — and, of course, the eternal cry of 'Everyday People': 'We got to live together!' Once idealistic, now I hear it as a command. Sly’s music will likely speak to us even more now than it did then. Thank you, Sly. You will forever live."

Lastly, he also shared his love for Stone's family, loved ones, and people "whose life you came across and affected."

Celebrities are remembering Sly Stone with heartfelt posts

Public Enemy-famed Chuck D saluted Sly's legacy in the music industry on Instagram.

He wrote in the caption,

"Rest In Power, Sly 🙏🏾🕊️"

Chuck also expressed his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter). He penned,

"Rest In Beats SLY Stone ..and we should THANK ⁦@questlove⁩ of ⁦@theroots⁩ for keeping his FIRE blazing in this Century. 2 documentaries and boa ok. GET EM"

Steve Martin bade farewell to Sly Stone with his heartwarming X post. According to Men's Journal, he wrote,

"'Everybody is a star...' Sly Stone was always positive and fabulously funkified. Dug it all. RIP"

Hip-hop artists EarthGang paid tribute to Sly and shared their thoughts on X.

"Rest in peace to a heavy influence in our music , Sly Stone"

Queer Latifah honored Stone, highlights his impact as an,

"innovator, funk aficionado, and frontman of Sly & The Family Stone"

In another X post, Latifah recommended netizens,

"If you want to learn about the musically profound & complex life of Sly Stone, Questlove recently released his documentary on Hulu & Disney Plus. Worth a watch to honor the genius behind Sly & the Family Stone and funk as we know it."

Clairo honored the late artist on her Instagram story. She wrote,

"This one really hurts. RIP"

Fatboy Slim mourned the renowned singer's death on Instagram. He captioned the post,

"Goodbye Sly Stone. Thankyoufalletinusbeourselvesagain. ❤️"

Rapper Wynne expressed his sorrow, sharing,

"RIP the legend Sly Stone."

Actress Holly Robinson Peete looked back on Stone's prowess and influence on the music industry, writing on X,

"Rest in power, Sly Stone. You didn’t just make music—you shifted the culture. As kids in Philly, my brother played Sly, I was Cynthia on my imaginary horn. We lived your music. You gave us the groove & the message. Thank you, genius."

As Rolling Stone reported, The Waterboys' Mike Scott thanked Sly for motivating him. The rock band's founding member and lead singer conveyed his thoughts, sharing,

"Thank you for all the inspiration, for breaking ground so others could follow and for being sassiest, funkiest Being on planet earth."

He also recognized and upheld Sly and the Family Stone's founder's impact, adding,

"Travel on well SLY STONE 1943-2025, singer, songwriter, musical director, producer, frontman, funkster, pioneer, genius. Thankyou for all the inspiration, for breaking ground so others could follow and for being the sassiest, funkiest Being on planet earth."

American actor Titus Welliver joined other celebrities to acknowledge Sly's powerful legacy. Calling the legend "the greatest musician," he stated in his post,

"Sly Stone has departed. The greatest musician of mine since I was a kid. We will never again see a genius such as his. RIP King"

Musician Paul Stanley reflected on losing Sly by revealing a throwback story of seeing Sly and the Family Stone debut. Recalling that moment, he wrote,

"Sly Stone Has Died. In 1968 I saw Sly & the Family Stone debut at the Fillmore East in New York City opening for Jimi Hendrix. They were a freight train of bombastic, joyous SouI that would soon climb the charts and change the sound of R&B for so many other artists. Rest In Soul!"

Stone's fans and admirers from all around the world are flooding social media platforms to keep Stone's spirit alive through his music and celebrate the mark he left on everyone.

On June 9, Sly Stone's family released a statement, noting that he passed away after his "prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues."

His family's official statement read,

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family. While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come."

Cherishing his groundbreaking contributions and enduring legacy, they also noted,

"Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024."

Extending their "deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time," they further stated,

"We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly’s life and his iconic music."

Stone's family thanked everyone from the bottom of their hearts for their unwavering support.