Rest In Power: Notable Black Folks Who We’ve Lost In 2024

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UPDATED: 2:40 p.m. ET., July 22nd, 2024

As we’ve come to understand year after year, day after day even, death is unfortunately an inevitable part of life. Still, as much of a fact as that may be, the blow of experiencing loss never gets any easier, nor does reporting on the subject in Black culture.

Abdul “Duke” Fakir, an original member of the famed group “The Four Tops” has passed away. According to a family spokesperson, Fakir died of heart failure with his wife and family by his side.

Fakir was The Four Tops’ last surviving original member, one of Motown Records‘ most iconic singing groups. Fakir formed the group, originally named the “Four Aims,” with Levi Stubbs, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, and Lawrence Payton. The Four Aims signed to Chess Records in 1956 and changed their name to the Four Tops to avoid confusion with the Ames Brothers. After stints with various record labels, The Tops signed with Berry Gordy and Motown Records; the rest is history.

With the help of Motown’s main songwriting and production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland, The Tops become one of the biggest groups in music.

The Four Tops succeeded substantially, with 11 top 20 hits and two No. 1 singles. Their timeless tracks like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” and “Reach Out I’ll Be There” have become staples in the annals of American music. Fakir and his bandmates’ contributions to music were recognized with inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.

Fakir was 88 years old.

Learn more below about who in our culture has passed away so far this year in 2024 Below

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