Death can be painful, sad, heartbreaking, and terrible. The worst thing is that it is inevitable, and among those whose deaths have shocked us the most are some of our favourite entertainers.

Today, NAIJ.com curates a list of young musicians who rose to fame across the world because of their extraordinary talent, but died before they turned 40.

See them below:

1. Ebony (20 years)

I really tried to post just 3 photos but couldn’t 😩😩😩 THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT GUYS☺️🙏🏾 #BGM #BONYFIED Costume: @urtailorstailor.official S/o to my amazing Photog : @urbanphlicks

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Priscilla Opoku-Kwarteng, known by the stage name Ebony Reigns, was a Ghanaian dancehall musician.

She released hugely popular songs like Date ur Fada, Maame Hwe, Poison, Sponsor and Hustle. Ebony Reigns was at the height of her fame when death tragically struck her in an accident on the Sunyani-Kumasi road. She was 20.

2. Goldie (31 years)

Susan Oluwabimpe Filani, known by the stage name Goldie, was a Nigerian singer signed to Kennis Music.

Her popularity went through the roof when she participated in the 2012 Big Brother Africa held in South Africa. She died shortly after that event of reported “hypertensive heart disease”. She was 31.

3. Da Grin (22 years)

Da Grin was a fast-rising Nigerian singer, who released hot songs like Pon Pon Pon and Kondo. He worked with other top Nigerian artists such as Y.Q, 9ice, M.I, Iceberg Slim and others.

In 2010, Da Grin died at the age of 22 in a car accident in Lagos.

4. Tupac Shakur (25 years)

Tupac, born Lesane Parish Crooks, was an American rapper who sold over 75 million records. He is considered as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He is 86th on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artistes of all time.

Tupac was shot dead by unknown assailants in 1996 while returning from a Mike Tyson boxing match in Nevada, USA. He was 25.

5. Notorious B.I.G (Biggie) – 24 years

Christopher George Latore Wallace, known by his stage name the Notorious B.I.G or simply Biggie, was an American rapper who released popular albums like Ride to Die and Life after Death. Like Tupac, he is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. At just age 24, he was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.

6. Amy Winehouse (27 years)

Amy was an English singer and songwriter. She was known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul.

Her first album, Frank (2003), was a critical success in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her second follow-up album, Back to Black (2006), led to five 2008 Grammy Awards

She died of alcohol intoxication in 2011.

7. Aaliyah (22 years)

Aaliyah Dana Haughton, was an American singer and actress, known for her albums like Age Ain’t Nothing but a Number and One in a Million.

She shot to fame with several hot singles in the late 90s. She was popular for huge hits like Try Again and We Need a Resolution. Aaliyah died in a plane crash in 2011. She was 22.

8. Zara Gretti

Zara was a rising star at the time of her death. Her songs were already gaining airplay on major radio stations before her death due to multiple sclerosis at the age of 28.

9. Eric Arubayi