Legendary singer and pianist Roberta Flack was remembered through music and poignant words Monday at a public celebration of life in Harlem, New York.
The March 10 memorial service for the Grammy-winning artist streamed live online, and included a performance by Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean of 1990s hip-hop trio the Fugees, which famously covered Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”
“Her existence was a form of resistance,” Hill said. “I adore Ms. Roberta Flack. Roberta Flack is a legend.”
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Hill performed “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly” with Wyclef, and Stevie Wonder joined them on harmonica.
Wonder, who had a long friendship with Flack, performed “If It’s Magic” and later sat at the piano to sing “I Can See the Sun in Late December,” a song he wrote for her.
“The great thing about not having the ability to see with your eyes is the great opportunity of being able to even better see with your heart,” Wonder said. “I love you, Roberta. And I will see you.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy.
According to the Associated Press, Flack’s memorial was at The Abyssinian Baptist Church, one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the U.S.
Flack, who died on Feb. 24 at 88, revealed in 2022 that she was battling ALS, which had taken her ability to sing.
Below is video of Monday’s memorial service for Roberta Flack.
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