Betty Davis, the funk-rock icon who pushed boundaries with her bold, brazen songs and persona in the 1970s, has died at age 76. Davis was a groundbreaking figure, despite never achieving high commercial success during her recording career. The ex-wife of jazz legend Miles Davis, the singer-songwriter born Betty Mabry, forged a legacy altogether unique and all her own.

Ethnomusicologist Danielle Maggio, a close friend of Davis, confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone. The cause of death was reportedly natural causes.

“It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Betty Davis, a multi-talented music influencer and pioneer rock star, singer, songwriter, and fashion icon,” Davis’ longtime friend Connie Portis said in a statement Wednesday. “Most of all, Betty was a friend, aunt, niece, and beloved member of her community of Homestead, Pennsylvania, and of the worldwide community of friends and fans. At a time to be announced, we will pay tribute to her beautiful, bold, and brash persona. Today we cherish her memory as the sweet, thoughtful, and reflective person she was…There is no other.”

The singer began recording in 1964 to little notice. Initially finding success as a model, Davis fell in with musicians around London and New York City, penning the Chambers Brothers song "Uptown (To Harlem)" and inspiring rock artists from Jimi Hendrix to Marc Bolan. Upon meeting Miles Davis, she would turn the jazz legend onto psychedelic rock, helping to push him towards his famous late 1960s fusion period, appearing on the cover of his Filles de Kilimanjaro in 1969. After her marriage to Miles, Betty Davis began recording her own brand of psychedelic funk in the 1970s, releasing trailblazing albums like They Say I'm Different and Nasty Gal. Her raw lyrics about sex and drugs made her an anomaly of her time, but proved to be a forerunner to artists from Madonna to Lil Kim.

After her mid-70s run of albums, Davis abruptly retired from music and spent the next several decades living in Pittsburgh. The reclusive legend was the focus of a 2017 documentary (Betty: They Say I’m Different) and an episode of Mike Judge’sTales From the Tour Busseries, and Davis released her first new song in over 40 years, “A Little Bit Hot Tonight,” in 2019.

Questlove was among those who celebrated Davis upon news of her passing; as did others such as Sheila E and more.

"Ohhhh man," responded singer-songwriter India.Arie after Questlove shared a tribute on Instagram. "❤️ whew. this hits"