High school days. Maurice White and Earth Wind & Fire took us through a lot of memories.

We would be remiss if we didn’t take a moment out, even on a hip hop platform, to enter a moment of silence and say Goodbye to a man who was to Black America what Michael Jackson was to the whole world.

The singer-songwriter died at his home in Los Angeles on Thursday morning following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His brother, Verdine White, who was also a member of the band, said: “My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep.

“While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.”

With that, we salute you Maurice. Thanks for the music man!

Thanks for using your talent to bless us through a lifetime of memories, both old and new. GODSPEED.