Yesterday was a sad day for the R&B community as many friends and fans mourn the death of singer Leah LaBelle. Today, one of her biggest supporters and mentors, Jermaine Dupri remembers the late songstress, who was signed to So So Def and Pharrell’s I Am Other, by sharing a previously-unreleased song called “Scumbag.”
Produced by J.D., the Teena Marie-inspired track finds Leah singing about a dishonest boyfriend. “Thought you were the one for me / Thought that we were meant to be,” she sings. “And for once I ain’t had to worry / But I found out quick, fast, in a hurry (that you were just another scumbag).”
“One of my favorite songs, out of the many records I cut on her,” said J.D. “One of the coolest girls you could ever meet, may your soul rest in peace.”
LaBelle, 31, and her husband Rasual Butler, 38, died in a car crash in Studio City, California on Wednesday morning (Jan. 31). Their friends including JoJo, Keri Hilson, Ciara, Tank and Leah’s “American Idol” alums Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson took to social media to mourn the loss.
I been listening and celebrating her music. That is is available. Sexify and Lolita were some the songs that was released. As fans we never got a full body of work. And now less than 48hrs after her passing. Now we get unreleased music. This is appreciated and this is a good song by the way. I don’t know the process of why songs don’t get released. I just wished more of her music was released when she was still here. R.I.P Leah Labelle and Rasual Butler