LaShawn Daniels death: Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé songwriter reportedly dies, aged 41

The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and producer LaShawn Daniels has reportedly died at the age of 41.  While a cause of death has yet to be confirmed, Daniels’s reported passing has led to an outpouring of grief from fans and collaborators, who have taken to social media to express condolences.  Daniels was best known for his collaborations with the music producer Darkchild, with songwriting credits on a litany of pop and R&B classics including Brandy and Monica’s “The Boy Is Mine”, “Lose My Breath” by Destiny’s Child, “Telephone” by Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, “If You Had My Love” by Jennifer Lopez and “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” by Whitney Houston.  He additionally worked on tracks by the Spice Girls, George Michael, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.  He won a Grammy in 2000 for his songwriting work on Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name”. His most recent Grammy nod came in 2013, for his work on Tamar Braxton’s single “Love and War”.  In recent years Daniels had been a regular presence on the reality series Braxton Family Values and Tamar & Vince, appearing alongside his wife April.  The musician Dawn Richard, who collaborated with Daniels on numerous projects including the super-group Diddy Dirty Money, tweeted: “Yooooo I’m lost. LaShawn Daniels died?!!!! I’m stuck. This man took my vocal ability to new levels while working in Dirty Money. One of the funniest people with the best heart. A rare talent and a beautiful soul.”