The Music World Remembers Sinéad O’Connor
On Wednesday, July 26, Irish singer and activist Sinéad O’Connor died. The 56-year-old, Grammy-winning artist had a striking and beautiful voice that transcended her work. O’Connor began her career as a singer, but she is best known for her ability to speak up for the voiceless.
Over the years, O’Connor tirelessly advocated for victims of abuse, racism, and sexism. In a 1992 SNL appearance, she famously protested child abuse within the Catholic church. During her musical performance, O’Connor held up a photo of Pope John Paul II and ripped it to shreds. Then, she looked at the camera and said, “Fight the real enemy.” O’Connor's actions were highly controversial and led to brutal criticism, but that never stopped the artist from voicing her beliefs. In her 2021 memoir, Rememberings, O’Connor reflected on the incident. “Everyone wants a pop star, see?” she wrote. “But I am a protest singer. I just had stuff to get off my chest. I had no desire for fame.”
Even so, O’Connor will remain a towering figure in the music industry. Her career took off in 1990, in part due to her cover of the Prince song, “Nothing Compares 2 U.” In the following years, O’Connor released her own critically-acclaimed music—and made a name for herself as a powerhouse, both in and out of the studio. In the wake of her death, O'Connors' famous friends and fans are remembering her legacy on social media.
P!nk and Brandi Carlile with a beautiful tribute to Sinéad O’Connor in Cincinnati last night….🥹🙏
pic.twitter.com/2cOSpk9LaN— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) July 27, 2023
Respect to Sinead….. She stood for something… Unlike most people…. Rest Easy..🙏🏽 https://t.co/3nbO3w22zv
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) July 26, 2023
“Fight the real enemy”- Sinead O’Connor
🕊️ 🤍— Janelle Monáe👽🚆🤖🚀🪐 (@JanelleMonae) July 26, 2023
Full statement attached pic.twitter.com/sJtzQ0RbCg
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) July 26, 2023
On behalf of my group Public Enemy and myself Flavor Flav,,, The passing of Sinead O’Conner breaks my heart. She was very supportive of Public Enemy,,, and she was a legend that’s gone too soon. My condolences to her son and family. - Flavor Flav
— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) July 26, 2023
RIP Sinéad O'Connor, I loved working with you making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats, all my love to your family. pic.twitter.com/49ryuIhGTQ
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) July 26, 2023
I am gutted by the loss of #SineadOConnor.
She was the warrior poet I expected her to be — wise and visionary, but also hilarious. She and I laughed a lot. We were writing new songs together, which will now never be complete.
We’ve all lost an icon. I’ve lost a friend. #RIP— Bear McCreary 🐻🎶 (@bearmccreary) July 26, 2023
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