Jamie Foxx, Tessa Thompson and Chance The Rapper are among the celebrities leading tributes for John Singleton who has died.
The Boyz N The Hood director passed away on Monday at the age of 51 almost two weeks after suffering a stroke.
Remembering Singleton, actor and singer Foxx wrote in an Instagram post: ‘God blessings… you changed a culture with your art… and impacted the world with your vision.’
Get Out director Jordan Peele said: ‘RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything.’
Janelle Monae stated: ‘JOHN SINGLETON . A GENIUS . Thank you for capturing US like no other.’
Rapper Juicy J shared a screenshot of a text message conversation he had with Singleton from two years ago, and wrote: ‘This is me & john Singleton on text in 2017 talking about doing a three six mafia biopic If this would had happened we would have won another Oscar for Best Picture John Singleton is a genius he knew the culture he helped us all I love you bro [sic].’
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Chance The Rapper also said: ‘Rest up John Singleton. We never met, but Remember The Time literally changed my life. Thank you so much. God Bless you.’
Avengers: Endgame actress Tessa Thompson shared a photo from Singleton’s 1993 movie Poetic Justice and said: ‘Thank You, forever. Your films changed my little life Mr Singleton.’
Being Mary Jane actress Gabrielle Union also shared a throwback photo of her with Singleton at a party.
Recalling fond memories in a lengthy message, she said: ‘I really didn’t want to believe I’d to have to write something like this about John. I am a believer of miracles. Alas…I met John when my older sister Kelly enrolled at USC in 1986 & quickly became friends with a group of fun loving, black, creative masterminds.
‘They called themselves the “Black Pack” I was 13 then and in awe of how loud and proud they were. Each friend contributing a different vibe and talent. By the time I turned 18 they chaperoned (yeah right) my birthday party.
‘When I transferred to UCLA they promised my family they would look out for me & they did. The entire time I’ve been in Hollywood I knew I had big brothers who had my back & that knowledge gave me wings. While they all accomplished so much, there was John breaking barrier after barrier making dreams into reality and never losing that loud and proud, by any means necessary mentality.
‘Flash forward decades and I’d run into him in the islands or Miami and we’d laugh in awe and glee at how far we’d both come. I will forever be grateful to the Black Pack & John Singleton. You showed me exactly what we can do when we stick together.’
She added: ‘Love & Light to all his loved ones and fans. Hold onto one another, we are greater together. Rest in eternal peace.’
Singleton’s family confirmed that the director died ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his loved ones.
They added in the statement: ‘We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time.’
Singleton was best known for directing Boyz N The Hood, for which he became the youngest person (aged 24) to be nominated in the best director category at the Oscars.
He also directed Poetic Justice, 2 Fast 2 Furious and Shaft, as well as episodes of Empire and American Crime Story.
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MORE: Boyz N The Hood director John Singleton dies aged 51 after suffering stroke
