Gwendolyn 'Blondy' Chisolm, Co-Founder of The Sequence, Dies at 66

The pioneering female rapper and singer-songwriter helped create the hit 'Funk You Up' before the group disbanded in 1985.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:56pm

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A striking black silhouette of three female figures against a bold red background, representing the pioneering hip-hop group The Sequence and their influential sound.The Sequence's pioneering music and lyrics continue to resonate decades after the group's heyday.Columbia Today

Gwendolyn 'Blondy' Chisolm, co-founder of the influential hip-hop group The Sequence, has died at the age of 66. Chisolm formed the group with Cheryl 'The Pearl' Cook and Angie Stone in 1979 and scored a hit with 'Funk You Up' before The Sequence disbanded in 1985. Chisolm's sister said she 'gave a lot of herself to the music industry' and her 'famous lyrics and melodies continue to bring joy to millions of people.'

Why it matters

The Sequence was the first female hip-hop act to sign with Sugar Hill Records and their music has had a lasting impact, with 'Funk You Up' being interpolated by Dr. Dre and influencing later hits like 'Uptown Funk.' Chisolm and her bandmates were pioneers in the early days of hip-hop, helping to pave the way for future generations of female rappers and singers.

The details

Chisolm, Cook, and Stone grew up together in Columbia, South Carolina and were all cheerleaders at C.A. Johnson High School, where they developed the cheers that became the basis for their music. After finding a way backstage at a Sugarhill Gang concert, the trio convinced the label to sign them, becoming the first female hip-hop act on the label. The Sequence released three albums before disbanding in 1985, but their music has continued to influence the genre.

  • Chisolm died on Monday, April 6, 2026.
  • The Sequence was formed in 1979.
  • The group released three albums before disbanding in 1985.

The players

Gwendolyn 'Blondy' Chisolm

The co-founder of the pioneering hip-hop group The Sequence, who scored a hit with 'Funk You Up' in the early 1980s.

Cheryl 'The Pearl' Cook

One of the co-founders of The Sequence along with Chisolm and Angie Stone.

Angie Stone

One of the co-founders of The Sequence, who died in a car accident in March 2025 at the age of 63.

Monica Scott

Chisolm's sister, who shared a statement about her passing on behalf of the Chisolm and Scott families.

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What they’re saying

“'My sister gave a lot of herself to the music industry. Everyone knows her famous lyrics and melodies, which continue to bring joy to millions of people. She was a creative force who touched countless hearts.'”

— Monica Scott, Chisolm's sister

“''Funk You Up' comes from a cheer. 'Funk You Up' was [sings]: 'We're gonna blow you, right on out. We're gonna blow you right on out.''”

— Gwendolyn 'Blondy' Chisolm

“'We didn't even know who he was or where he was taking us. All we knew was we were going in,' Chisolm said. 'And when he was talking to us, we go, 'Oh, and by the way, we can sing and rap better than the Sugarhill Gang.''”

— Gwendolyn 'Blondy' Chisolm

What’s next

Chisolm will be honored in a private memorial at a later date.

The takeaway

The Sequence's pioneering work as the first female hip-hop act signed to a major label helped pave the way for future generations of female rappers and singers, and their music continues to influence and inspire the genre decades later.