In tragic news,Jermaine Dupri has announced the death of his longtime collaborator Manuel Seal.

The GRAMMY-winning songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist was central to the sound of So So Def, helping craft classics that defined eras across R&B and Hip-Hop.

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Taking to Instagram, Dupri shared the news with a heartfelt tribute to Seal, whom he called his brother.

“My brother Manuel Seal passed away… together we created the sound of So So Def. I’m gonna really miss you big E.”

In the caption, the music mogul expanded on their creative bond, writing:

“Today I lost the first person to really understand me musically, Manuel Seal, he had a answer for every one of my ideas, that’s how he became the voice, singing funkdafied, he had a spirit and a presence that I never wanted to leave me, I used to try to do as much as I could when he was there,because. the one thing he taught me, was that. the more you know, the better it’s gonna sound, everytime we spoke we always ended the conversation by saying I love you, so at least I know he knew, and he knows, I’m so hurt but I also thank God for blessing me with the experience, may your soul rest in peace, Big E ”

Seal’s fingerprints can be found across a towering list of hits. His credits include work with Mariah Carey on ‘Always Be My Baby’ and ‘We Belong Together’, Usher on ‘You Make Me Wanna…’ and ‘My Boo’, Xscape on ‘Understanding’, and Da Brat on ‘Funkdafied’.

Seal is a one-time Grammy winner and six-time nominee.

A cause of death has not been announced as of writing.

Our thoughts are with Seal’s family, friends, and collaborators.

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