The Sequence

The Sequence, an American hip hop group formed in Columbia, South Carolina in 1979, comprised Angie B. (Angela Brown, better known as Angie Stone), Blondy (Gwendolyn Chisolm), and Cheryl the Pearl (Cheryl Cook). Signed to Sugar Hill Records by CEO Sylvia Robinson, their debut single "Funk You Up" was released in December 1979, becoming one of the first rap hits performed by women. In 1980, they released their debut album Sugar Hill Presents The Sequence, which included notable singles such as "Monster Jam", and a cover of Parliament's "Funky Sound (Tear the Roof Off)". Their follow-up albums The Sequence (1982) and The Sequence Party (1983) featured a mix of hip hop tracks and ballads. In 1985, the group disbanded due to disputes with their label over royalties and contract terms. The Sequence sold a million records worldwide, making them the first female hip hop act to achieve this milestone. On March 1, 2025, Angie Stone was killed in a car collision at the age of 63. Gwendolyn Chisolm died following a brief illness on April 6, 2026, at the age of 67, leaving Cheryl Cook as the lone surviving member of the  trio.