Will Smith, Alicia Keys & More: Here’s How Celebrities Reacted To Bill Withers’s Death

Bill Withers’s death certainly shook the world of music earlier this week.

The music industry icon, who churned out hits like ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and ‘Lean On Me’ in the past, passed away at the age of 81 due to a cardiovascular disease.

As the news broke out, the biggest names in the world of music payed homage to the RnB/Soul legend, remembering him with their personal memories of him and his music.

The likes of John Legend, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Chaka, Khan, Kelly Rowland and many others left an online reaction and tribute to the singer-songwriter.

Here are some of them:

WILL SMITH

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RIP to a Legend. Thank you Bill.

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) on Apr 3, 2020 at 1:16pm PDT

CHAKA KHAN

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Your spirit will live forever in our souls Bill 💜 😔

A post shared by 🎼 𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖐𝖆 𝕶𝖍𝖆𝖓 💜 (@chakaikhan) on Apr 3, 2020 at 9:09am PDT

KELLY ROWLAND

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StillBill #forever

A post shared by Kelly Rowland (@kellyrowland) on Apr 3, 2020 at 4:10pm PDT

JENNIFER HUDSON

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Although his music will live on , he will truly be missed ! #billwithers

A post shared by Jennifer Hudson (@iamjhud) on Apr 3, 2020 at 7:41am PDT

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

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You will always be one of my biggest idols. You taught me so much about how to keep it simple and real. I felt such a kinship with you even before we met. Your words and melodies… the chords that accompanied them… they reached into my soul and spoke to me so deeply. That’s what your music did. It brought so many of us closer to you and to each other. And, to actually know you was truly something special. You shined a light that was so unique and warm. I looked up to you the same way I looked up to my Poppa… and he was my favorite human in the world. You have always been one of the greatest and will forever be. I will miss your jokes and I will never forget your advice to me about music… “How does it make you FEEL? That’s the only question you have to answer.”⠀ ⠀ Rip Mr. Withers. One of a kind.⠀ ⠀ Ps. Swipe over to get a glimpse of the jokester he was. A little backstory: he led a songwriters discussion with Max, Shellback and myself and took the time out to put together a story and made us all think it was from a real bio. Who does that?? Only Mr. Bill.

A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on Apr 3, 2020 at 6:55pm PDT

ANGELA BASSETT

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It was 2011 and @courtneybvance took me to one of the best concerts in my life: @sade & #billwithers. I can still hear him singing his heart out on stage. Now he’ll sing in our hearts forever. God bless you & keep you. Your anthems will be sung loud and strong today and always. xoAng

A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett) on Apr 3, 2020 at 12:33pm PDT

STEPHANIE MILLS

I am so saddened by the loss of another great one and trendsetter in the music business as well as life! RIP #BillWithers #HugYourLoveOnes https://t.co/7Ks63kNfQL

— Stephanie Mills (@PrettyMill1) April 3, 2020

KAMALA HARRIS

The world lost a legend. Soul singer Bill Withers’ song Grandma’s Hands is one of my favorites and reminds me of my grandmother and so many other mother-figures in my life.

Let’s all continue to live by his cherished lyrics during these times and lean on each other.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 3, 2020

JOHN LEGEND

Lean on me 😢 https://t.co/h1SMQckDcq

— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 4, 2020

LEDISI

“Use Me” was the first song I sang in the nightclubs starting out. It was the first song I sang when I met him for the first time. He gave the best hugs and told the best jokes.I love ya Bill. So glad I got to tell ya. My heartaches today. R.I.P The Great 👑Bill Withers pic.twitter.com/Yn6YgIEwTb

— ledisi (@ledisi) April 3, 2020

SMOKEY ROBINSON

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“We all need somebody to lean on…” 💙 #RIPBillWithers

A post shared by Smokey Robinson (@smokeyrobinson) on Apr 3, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT

BRIAN MCKNIGHT

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Damn another legend lost🙏🏾🙏🏾 Bill Withers one of my childhood heroes is gone but never forgotten thank you for being a shining light rest well my friend #aintnosunshine #lovelyday #brianized

A post shared by Brian Mcknight (@brianmcknight23) on Apr 3, 2020 at 8:10am PDT

ALICIA KEYS

What a poignant writer whose songs are more relevant than ever right now💜 May music always bring us together! Rest in paradise to the magnificent #BillWithers 🕊 https://t.co/smITA9MKFO

— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) April 3, 2020

RIP Bill Withers.